Residents in Agago district are accusing the acting district police commander of selling off the impounded motorcycles during curfew enforcement following the president's directives on covid-19.
It is alleged that the motorcycles impounded by the acting DPC during the curfew enforcement were sold off to some Indians who claimed that the motorcycles were stolen from their ware shops and late given to them by the DPC.
Sebirumbi Yunus, an officer in charge of Agago police station, who is acting as the DPC, the station officer in charge of criminal investigation, Fredrick and Solomon were accused of selling five impounded motorcycles.
Mohamed Ochieng, a boda-boda rider, says that police arrested the motorcycle and asked the owner to pay Shs. 100,000 for the fine, and after payment, Fredrick (CIO) came and rearrested the motorcycle’s owner because he was given the authority to take his motorbike. He reportedly tortured the boy severely.
According to Mohamed, the acting DPC and the CIO steal people’s motorcycles and impound them intentionally by forging a logbook to show that the motorcycle is stolen from the Indians ware shop. He adds that these Indians later sell the bike and divide the money amongst themselves.
Okot Abdu, a boda-boda rider in Patongo town council says that the police arrest and order them to bring money for the fine. He adds that they force people to pay and later arrest them on allegations of theft, where the acting DPC and CIO are the major burdens, people are facing as the two are the brain behind the theft and sale of all impounded motorcycles.
Onyug Andrew, resident district commander said that when he was informed about the issue of the motorcycle, he rushed to the station to see the complainant but, Sebirumbi (Acting DPC) told those two Indians to take off. He adds that he demanded the documents of the alleged motorcycles be brought but in vain.
He said that the owner of the motorcycle was arrested innocently and tortured while in the cell by the police after paying all the relevant fines as required by the law.
According to Andrew, the acting DPC and all the culprits must be taken away for doing a disservice to the government or arrested for their deeds because they are thieves and criminals.
Sebirumbi (Acting DPC) however, says that the issue is being handled at the regional criminal investigation office and they cannot arrest the officer in charge of intelligence at Patongo who is being accused together with him. He adds that they have followed all the procedures and cannot arrest the officer because there is no evidence for the arrest to be effective.
Nachucha Darmali, the regional police commander, says that it’s very unfortunate that the matter could not be solved, that's why she had to intervene. She adds that the police force has a disciplinary committee that disciplines the wrongdoers among the forces.
According to Darmali, the issue will immediately be investigated and tried by the people affected by the scandal and if found guilty they will serve their sentences as the law requires. She adds that they had an open case file against the three accused officers and will appear before the court of law.
“I will closely follow the matter of the impounded motorcycles and the Indians who are alleged to be owners of the motorcycles,” Darmali adds.
Damali added that the arrested owner of the motorcycle was transferred from Patongo police station to the regional police station because there were reported issues of scandals that had eaten up Patongo police station.
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