Police arrest driver over misuse of government vehicle

A driver attached to Bududa District local government in eastern Uganda is in trouble after he was arrested over misuse of a government vehicle by allegedly using it to ferry bricks for private individuals.
The tipper truck Reg.No UG 2607W was impounded at Bushika trading centre loaded with bricks heading to Bududa town on Wednesday. The vehicle is currently parked at Bududa central police station as investigations continue.

The acting Elgon Region police spokesperson, Mr Robert Tukei, confirmed development and the arrest, saying they swung into action after a tip off by the Manafwa Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr Ahmed Washaki.
“We were tipped off by the RDC who was also notified by concerned residents about the continued misuse of the government vehicle,” he said.
Mr Tukei said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect identified as Siraji Weboya, had on a number of occasions during this festive season used the vehicle to do private business with in the Bugisu Sub-region.

“This driver was seen on several occasions using the vehicle belonging to Engineering department for personal businesses,” he said.
The Bududa District Police Commander (DPC), Ms Esther Adeke condemned the act and said after investigations the driver will be charged with misuse of government property under the Anti-Corruption Act.
She said the suspect was given police bond on Saturday as investigation go on.

"We sent the file to State Attorney for legal advice. We shall produce him in court to answer charges accordingly," said MS Adeke.
The district LC5 chairperson, Mr Wilson Watira, describing the driver as wrong element said no government vehicle is allowed to be used for private business.

“If such drivers got into an act of misusing government vehicles, let them be arrested and face the law. Those vehicles are supposed to do only government work, not private,” Mr Watira said.
The Manafwa RDC, Mr Ahmed Washaki decried the increasing misuse of the government vehicles in the region.
“Misuse of the government vehicles has persisted and it has disabled service delivery. This act must stop,” he said.