MP Kamba detained over papers

Investigations. The Kibuku East legislator was picked from his home by SIU detectives to answer to charges of forgery and utterance of false documents.

Police yesterday arrested and detained Kibuku County MP Saleh Kamba over alleged forgery of academic documents.
“He is at the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in Kireka for investigations into forgery and utterance of false documents,” Police Spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said:

Mr Kamba is alleged to have forged documents and used them in different offices including the Electoral Commission, where his papers were cleared before nominations for the 2011 General Election.

The MP, who was picked from his home, was one of the appointed ministers rejected in 2011 by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on grounds that his basic academic qualifications were wanting.

A voter in Kibuku petitioned the High Court in early 2011 attempting to block Mr Kamba’s nomination on grounds that his academic papers belong to Moses Kamba, who sat for his O- Level at Kibuku Secondary School in 1990.

According to Mr Tom Mukama, the legislator, who hails from Bukalijoko Kitutu Parish in Buseta Sub-county and joined the army in 1987, started his primary education at Buseta Primary School and sat for his Primary Leaving Examination in 1984 under the names of Wilson Kisale.

He also added that Mr Kamba joined Bugwere High School but did not complete his secondary school studies.
However, the petition was dismissed by Justice Vincent Zehurikirize.

In 2006, a similar petition was filed by Mr Rainer Kafiire, who had been defeated in the parliamentary elections.

However, Justice John Bosco Katutsi upheld the election, citing that the Uneb and the National Council for Higher Education had certified Mr Kamba’s papers as being equivalent to O and A-level certificates.

Mr Kamba becomes the fifth member of the Ninth Parliament to be arrested and detained by police, outside walk-to-work related charges.

Bubulo West MP Tony Kipoi was arrested and charged with treason while Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko, Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo and Kinkizi East MP Chris Baryomunsi were arrested and detained over comments made in relation to the death of Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda.

djeanne@ug.nationmedia.com