The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Moroto police are holding one of their own for allegedly releasing impounded counterfeit goods. The suspect is Assistant Superintendent of Police Robert Byayo, the Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigations Department-CID.
He was detained on Tuesday morning after releasing 496 bags of counterfeit sugar impounded by police and the Uganda Revenue Authority-URA last month. The sugar was being kept in Moroto police stores as exhibits as police hunt for the owner who fled during the operation.
The sugar, which was produced by Mayuge sugar industries was being repackaged in paper bags labelled Kenyan sugar purportedly manufactured by Kabaras sugar factory in Kenya. The police opened a case of counterfeit products under SD ref.58/27/07/2021.
Michael Longole, the Karamoja Region police spokesperson confirmed the arrest of the officer, describing his conduct as unacceptable. According to Longole, the officer acted outside his jurisdiction since investigations were still ongoing.
“This sugar was impounded through concerted effort from all stakeholders and not by an individual, which means releasing it should have involved all stakeholders like URA, UNBS and Interpol,” he said. Longole said the officer will be produced to court as soon as possible to answer charges of corruption and negligence of duty.
Some members of the public have welcomed the arrest of the officer. “We need justice to be applied to everyone not only for those who are not in uniform,” said Betty Tebakol, one of the anti-corruption monitors in Moroto district.
Peter Lemukol another concerned resident said police needs to be tough in the fight against corruption, saying that the institution is riddled with corruption.
*****
URN
