Residents of Kiroya Cell in Karujubu Division, Masindi Municipality, have arrested a police officer for allegedly extorting money from them during this Covid-19 lockdown.
Oliver Komugisa, the Vice Chairperson Kiroya cell, identifies the police officer as Bonny Ogwang.
This follows constant reports from residents that some police officers were confiscating their motorcycles though found parked at home during night hours in addition to extorting money from them.
Last week, during the District Covid-19 Task Force Committee meeting, the area councillor cum district speaker, Moses Kirya, told the members that his office was awash with claims that there were some police officers extorting money from his constituents, a claim the District Police Commander, Edna Nyiraneza dismissed.
However, investigations were instituted to nab the culprits.
One of the residents who did not disclose her identity to the press claimed that Ogwang invaded her shop before arresting her on charges of violating curfew guidelines yet she was in her house at the time.
She also claims that she gave Ogwang Shs50,000 for her release.
However, the woman says she reported the matter to senior security officers in the district who forced Ogwang to refund it.
Now, according to Ms Komugisa, the police officer was arrested by residents on Monday night after he purportedly raided the area extorting money from them in guise of enforcing the Covid-19 guidelines to slow down the spread of the pandemic.
“The officer reached the extent of entering people’s houses during the night – something that angered the residents prompting them to team up and arrest him,” she says.
The vice chairperson adds that after being arrested, the police officer was immediately handed over to the authorities of Masindi Central Police Station for management.
When contacted, Ms Nyiraneza, the district police chief confirmed that the residents arrested Ogwang currently attached to Masindi police barracks Health Centre 3 when the officer had gone to treat a patient in Kiroya.
However, she dismissed allegations of extortion the residents levelled against him.
