Police officers held over bribe, attempted murder

In-charge. The Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Jimmy Patrick Okema. PHOTO BY JULIUS OCUNGI

What you need to know:

Genesis. A concerned citizen in Anaka Town Council reportedly called police officers to arrest a man suspected to have stolen a motorcycle.

NWOYA/GULU. Two police officers attached to Nwoya Central Police Station have been arrested over allegation of accepting a bribe to aiding the release of a suspected thug.
The police officers reportedly received Shs150,000 from a suspected motorcycle thief.
According to information Daily Monitor obtained, a concerned citizen in Anaka Town Council reportedly called police officers on Thursday last week to arrest a man suspected to have stolen a motorcycle.
The suspect allegedly stole the motorcycle from Joseph Omona in Gulu Municipality after stabbing him at night.
The Aswa River Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Jimmy Patrick Okema, told Daily Monitor in an interview on Friday that the suspect later fled towards Nwoya District but developed a mechanical problem with the bike after reaching Anaka Town Council.
“The suspect took the motorcycle for repair to a mechanic, while they were working on the stolen motorcycle, the mechanic overheard him talking on phone with someone making plans on how to sell it,” he said.
He said the mechanic contacted police at Nwoya Central Police Station to arrest the suspect adding that when police arrived, the suspect was instead led to a mobile money shop where Shs150,000 was withdrawn and given to them [Policemen].
“The mechanic was keen at observing the dealings between the police officers and the suspect. The officers pretended they were taking the suspect to custody but later released him along the way with the stolen exhibit. When the mechanic contacted the officers at the station whether the suspect had been brought, they denied prompting him to report the matter,” he said.
Mr Okema said the two police officers were later arrested and brought to Gulu Central Police Station for investigation.
He identified the suspects as Mr Wilberforce Ndawula and Mr Bosco Ociti adding that they will be charged with unlawfully aiding release of a suspect from custody.

Gulu incident

Meanwhile, a police officer in Gulu Municipality has been arrested over firing 10 bullets to scare a boda boda rider after developing a disagreement with him.
Mr Edward Mutoto, attached to Sacred Heart Girls’ Secondary School Police Post, reportedly fired the shots demanding Shs25,000, which the boda boda rider was supposed to pay to him in compensation following an earlier fight.
The unidentified motorcyclist had reportedly attacked the police officer a week ago but the school management settled the matter and ruled that he pays Mr Mutoto for the injuries inflicted on him.
Mr Okema said Mr Mutoto, who is being detained at Gulu Central Police Station, will be charged with attempted murder.