Masindi residents arrest police officer accusing him of extortion

Masindi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Angry residents of Kiroya cell in Karujubu division, Masindi municipality in Masindi district have teamed up and arrested a police officer whom they accuse of extortion during the lockdown announced by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to curtail the further spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The arrested officer has been identified as Bonny Ogwang attached to Masindi Central Police station. He was arrested last night.

Oliver Komugisa, the Vice chairperson of Kiroya cell claims that the officer raided their area extorting money from the locals while claiming to be enforcing the COVID-19 guidelines.

She alleges that the officer reached the extent of entering peoples houses during the night, a thing that prompted locals to team up and arrest him. He was later handed over to Masindi central police station by the area residents.

Olivia Kaahwa, a resident claims the officer invaded her shop and arrested her saying she was violating the curfew guidelines yet she was inside her house at the time the officer invaded her home. She claims she was released after she paid shillings 50,000 to the officer.

According to Kaahwa, the officer refunded the money after she approached a senior security official in the district. She does not elaborate what other logical steps the senior security officer took until the said public arrest of the policeman.

Solomon Asiimwe, the chairperson Karujubu division says acts of extortion among police officers effecting the curfew guidelines have become intolerable, and called upon top police officers in Masindi to investigate their juniors.

Edinah Nyiraneza, the Masindi District Police Commander-DPC confirmed Ogwang’s arrest by the residents but dismissed allegations of extortion and terrorizing the residents levelled against him.

According to Nyinareza, Ogwang who is currently attached to the Masindi Police Barracks health center III was arrested by the residents as he had gone to treat a patient in Kiroya.

She however says they have launched investigations into reports of extortion being levied against the police officer.

*****

URN