Police seize equipment donated under Gen Kayihura

Kampala- The Inspector General of Police, Mr Martins Okoth-Ochola, has ordered the seizure of police music instruments that had been given to a local band in Nyakabande Town in Kisoro District during his predecessor, Gen Kale Kayihura’s reign on account that it was donated illegally.

Police officers from the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) raided Nyakabande Town at the weekend and impounded the music instruments. The equipment had police band logos.

A police source, who preferred anonymity, said the instruments were delivered to the band by senior officers during Gen Kayihura’s reign without following the established procedure.

The source said the police band managers protested the illegal transfer of the equipment, but did not file a formal complaint until Mr Ochola was appointed. Last year, the band requested Gen Kayihura, who was still IGP, to help them acquire new music instruments and he promised to help them.

However, it is not clear whether Gen Kayihura had a hand in the donation.

Investigations
Mr Vincent Ssekatte, the PSU spokesperson, confirmed the recovery of the police property and said they are investigating how the band obtained the equipment.

“IGP Ochola received a complaint that police band equipment had been given to a local band illegally. IGP Ochola ordered PSU to investigate. Our team went to Kisoro and found the items being used by the said local band,” Mr Ssekatte said yesterday.

He said the police band managers said the local band hired the equipment from the police, but they have no document to support the claim.

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