Assistant Inspector General of Police, Edward Ochom has directed the immediate transfer of Gerald Bamwesigye, the Officer in Charge of Kalagala Police Post in Luwero district over corruption allegations.
Ochom, who doubles as the Director of Research, Planning and Development Directorate in Uganda Police Force has ordered the Savannah Region Police Commander, Bosco Otim to transfer Bamwesigye from Kalagala Police Post to Luwero Central Police Station and investigate him for alleged corruption.
Ochom issued the directive on Monday 8th April after receiving complaints against the officer during his tour in Luwero district. Ochom also ordered for investigations and close supervision of Alfred Opio, a police officer attached to the records office at Luwero Central Police for alleged corruption. Moses Kinene, a resident of Kalagala Kooko village accuses Bamwesigye of profiteering from land cases by arresting people for alleged criminal trespass before asking them money for police bond. According to Kinene, he was picked up on three different occasions in connection to land disputes and was asked for Shillings 300,000 for police bond on the last occasion. Zam Nabakiibi, another resident accused the officer of conniving with landlords to oppress tenants after getting bribes. A news report carried by Uganda Radio Network shows that Bamwesigye who has been serving on probation was unavailable to defend himself against the allegations. URN further reports that the Savannah RPC Bosco Otim has ordered the Criminal Investigations department and Professional Standards Unit to investigate the accusations against the officer. Luwero area RDC Phoebe Namulindwa says a number of police officers in the district are corrupt. She asked the RPC to act on the errant officers instead of waiting for senior officers from Kampala to bring the officers to him. Namulindwa singled out officers attached to Kasana, Wobulenzi and Luwero Police Stations whom she accused of extortion. Last year Asan Kasingye, the Chief Political Commissioner of Uganda Police Force suspended three Police officers attached to Kalagala Police Post including Christine Birabwa, Corporal Louis Adirubo and Corporal Norah Namirembe for absconding from duty with authorization. Kasingye had paid an impromptu visit to the Police Station during a community policing drive in the area but didn’t find the officers at their duty station. For comments, call, text or whatsapp us on 0703164755.
