Corrupt Govt officials intimidate police - Onek

By Steven Candia        
    
The outgoing internal affairs minister Eng. Hillary Onek on Friday left the ministry with a tough parting shot, warning top officials in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to desist from intimidating the police following the probe into alleged mismanagement of funds in the ministry.

Speaking at his send-off party that also doubled as a celebration of the elevation of police boss Gen Kale Kayihura to a new rank, Onek said it was sad and worrying that certain powerful people had taken to intimidating the police, given their clout.

He however, urged the police not to be intimidated and remain steadfast, cracking the whip on corrupt officials, saying they have political support.

Speaking generally and without citing names, Onek said in one incident a certain powerful official in the ministry had written to the Inspector General of Government (IGG), petitioning the inspectorate to probe CIID boss Grace Akullo, alleging personal vendetta.

"The police should not be intimidated by high level criminals. They should stand firm. Akullo don't be intimidated by high level criminals trying to cover up their crimes," Onek said at the Lugogo cricket oval.

"You have got to be tough of those who stole money and are writing to the IGG to try and shield them and this is not allowed," Onek said. He added that apart from Godfrey Kazinda, the former principal accountant in the OPM being charged, other top officials remain at large.

"And this really hurts the public when they see people whom are suspected to have stolen not locked up. We shall stand by you (police)," Onek said to cheers from those present.

Police mid last year moved into the OPM in purge on corruption in which over sh50b is feared to have been stolen by top ministry officials in a highly sophisticated scam involving officials from the ministry of finance and the Central Bank.