Top detective arrested over fraud

A senior police officer has been charged in the Anti Corruption Court with abuse of office and tampering with evidence worth Shs250 million. The head of Financial Fraud at Kampala Central Police Station, Assistant Superintendent of Police Gregory Mugisha, appeared before a Grade I Magistrate at the Anti Corruption Court in Kololo on Wednesday.

Mr Mugisha was, however, released on bail on the same day after paying Shs3 million. Once convicted of abuse of office, Mr Mugisha will face up to seven years in jail or pay a fine of Shs3.3 million.

According to prosecution, Mr Mugisha and his deputy, Richard Okurut, allegedly tampered with a cheque that had been entrusted to them as an exhibit in June.

Origin of cheque
The said cheque that originated from the US treasury had earlier been cashed by two Kenyan nationals in a Kampala bank. But the authorities questioned them and found out that the cheque had pending legal issues. Both suspects were arrested and charged.

The cheque, which the US authorities photocopied, was allegedly entrusted to Mr Mugisha to keep as an exhibit. It is alleged that the US authorities learnt later in June that the same cheque had been cashed in a Kenyan bank and the money had been withdrawn.

US authorities reported the matter to the Police Chief, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, who instructed the Police Professional Standards Unit to investigate. PSU forwarded its findings to Criminal Investigations Director Edward Ochom after discovering irregularities.

Detectives allegedly found out that Mr Mugisha travelled to Kenya on official duties in the same period the cheque was cashed in. Mr Mugisha was told to hand over the cheque he was keeping but he handed in a different one was different from the copy the US authorities had.

Police sources said Mr Mugisha has been suspended from the police force and will receive half pay until his case has been disposed off.