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BUSIA - Security have searched the home of former East African Community Affairs state minister Julius Maganda over the alleged possession of iron sheets from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

Busia deputy Resident District Commissioner Grace Kanuna, District Internal Security Officer (DISO) Piston Musinguzi, and district Police Commander Didas Byaruhanga supervised the search conducted on Friday, January 5, 2023, afternoon at Maganda's home in Bulekei ‘A’ village Lunyo sub county Busia district.

Unlikely source of tip

Deployment was made at Maganda’s home on Thursday evening following reports that iron sheets from OPM were part of the items stolen from Maganda’s farm.

This was after Maganda had reported the theft of 102 iron sheets, a welding machine, a water pump, 160 chicken, and two rams, among other things.

According to Kanuna, they wanted to secure the former minister’s home but also wanted to ascertain the truth that Maganda was in possession of government stores since information in circulation was that only part of the iron sheets had been stolen but the store still had more.

However, upon searching only 32 ordinary white iron sheets of gauge 32 were found in Maganda’s store.

Maganda was immediately given a search form to sign and Kanuna told him that he was withdrawing the three Police officers that had been deployed at his home.

He also asked Maganda to officially apply for security in case he wants to for his home.

Political rivals to blame

Commenting about the incident, Maganda blamed his political rivals for spreading misleading information to tarnish his reputation.

“They have no evidence to support their claims that the iron sheets stolen from home had a stamp from the OPM,” Maganda said,  ACCUSING Godfrey Odero Were, the incumbent Member of Parliament, as the one responsible.

Maganda, who made history by being the first person to be elected consecutively for the second term as MP for Samia Bugwe South, was defeated by Odero in 2016 after Samia Bugwe Central was carved out of Samia Bugwe South.

His supporters said it was too early for Odero to start politics noting that he should focus on serving his constituents.

But when contacted for a comment Odero denied any wrongdoing and appealed to Maganda to carry his own cross.

However, some of his supporters who requested not to be mentioned claimed that the security had been compromised to allow the iron sheets to be hidden at night noting that there was thorough screening of the people accessing Maganda’s home on Thursday night.