Detectives extend search to home of Among’s sister

BUKEDEA - Detectives on Friday evening recovered several boxes containing unspecified items from the home of Ziporha Akola, the personal assistant and sister to the outgoing Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, as security operations linked to ongoing investigations extended to Bukedea District.

New Vision journalists witnessed detectives loading several items into black boxes before putting them into three police vans.

Akol's residence is located in Obur Nyangor Village within Bukedea's Kolir sub-county, about four kilometres from the home of Among's parents in Apopong village.

Earlier in the day, the security team also searched the property of Among's parents.
During the operation, detectives were overheard remarking that Akol's house was "small but packed with very many things."

However, it was not clear what items they were referring to.

There was tension before officers gained access to the residence, as family members tried to resist requests to open the house.

“If you are not going to cooperate with us, then we shall force our way into the house,” one detective was heard warning.

At around 6:00pm the detectives departed with the exhibits and headed towards Bukedea Central Police Station. 

However, journalists were unable to verify whether the items were offloaded there, as the vehicles proceeded behind the main police building, out of public view.

Efforts to obtain a comment from South Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Stephen Mukombe were unsuccessful, as his known telephone number was switched off.

Earlier in the day, a police officer attached to the South Kyoga police region, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that regional officers had joined the operation.

The searches in Bukedea began Friday morning at Among’s residence in Aputput Village, Aerere Parish, Kamutur Sub-county.

The operation was conducted in the presence of her lawyer, Caleb Alaka, and local leaders.

Journalists were unable to establish whether any items were recovered from Among’s residence or her parents’ home, as security personnel restricted access to the compounds.

At Among’s home, reporters remained outside the heavily fortified property, which is enclosed by a high perimeter wall and secured gates.

Residents and neighbours gathered at a distance throughout the day, observing the security operations at the various properties while armed police officers guarded entry points.

The latest developments come days after joint security agencies conducted searches at Among’s residences in Kampala and Wakiso districts.

During those operations, luxury vehicles belonging to the outgoing Speaker were towed from properties in Kigo and Nakasero.

Investigators also searched Among's office at Parliament, along with the office of the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Kasaija Mwesige.

The security operations began last Saturday.

Residents in Bukedea also reported heightened security at Among’s village home earlier this week.

“We woke up to a new security detail at the gate while the usual police officers were moved inside,” one resident, who preferred anonymity, told New Vision.

As of Friday evening, the whereabouts of Among had not been publicly disclosed.