Kaihura arrests police officer over bribery
Dec 07, 2010
THE Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura ordered arrest of the marine commander over extorting money from the public.
By Simon Naulele and Samule Among
THE Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura ordered arrest of the marine commander over extorting money from the public.
Moses Ocana, has been commandeering a marine unit of the police attached to Garama and Mulondo in Pingire sub-county in Serere district.
He was apprehended during a meeting at Garama landing site in Labor parish.
Ocana has reportedly been asking money from fishermen arrested for using illegal fishing gears in order to allow them back to the waters.
His arrest follows complaints by the residents in Pingire to President Yoweri Museveni during his campaign trail in district that they are being harassed by the marines, where he promised to send Kayihura.
The residents told Kayihura that, Ocana removed powers from the Beach Management Unit (BMU) committees and created lots of problems in the sites.
David Ogwang, the chairperson BMU Garama said Ocana told them not to arrest fishermen with illegal fishing gears, arguing that they were not well trained to handle that.
“He told us that we should not continue with our work since we were not trained. And the people he arrests, he asks them for money to have them released,†said Ogwang.
Grace Agudo, a member of the BMU at Garama said since the deployment of Ocana in the area five months ago, the illegal fishing has again increased because people are not bothered since they are using money to have their illegal gears cast in the waters.
However, some residents said Ocana is not alone. “He found the system on, and because he removed the powers from the BMUs who have also been using that for eating, conflict has now erupted between the marines and the BMUs,†said Musa Emaru.
Kayihura reprimanded the officer for the act and promised that whoever has been involved will be brought to book.
Kayihura said he created a unit headed by Samuel Ekelot, police commandant to address the complaints of the residents.
“We are supposed to protect life and property, but not to wreck havoc,†he said.
Ocana is detained at Soroti Central Police Station. The regional Police commander for Mid Eastern, Alison Agaba said he will only be saved from punishment by law if evidence doesn’t incriminate him.
Asked for reaction Ocana said what he has been doing was based on the law.
“I have helped the community here by quelling the problem of beatings which was becoming rampant amongst them over fishing space,†he said.
Kaihura however was dismissive of Ocana’s remarks.
“We must act professionally. Ocana has a case to answer. If some one is fishing, and you suspect something wrong from him, you don’t have to use your authority to harass the person. You have got to ask what crime has been followed and help such person know,†said Kayihura.
He said if any arrests have to be made, the marines have to liaise with the local leaders, RDC and the police. He was whatever a person does, he or she will account for it.
THE Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura ordered arrest of the marine commander over extorting money from the public.
Moses Ocana, has been commandeering a marine unit of the police attached to Garama and Mulondo in Pingire sub-county in Serere district.
He was apprehended during a meeting at Garama landing site in Labor parish.
Ocana has reportedly been asking money from fishermen arrested for using illegal fishing gears in order to allow them back to the waters.
His arrest follows complaints by the residents in Pingire to President Yoweri Museveni during his campaign trail in district that they are being harassed by the marines, where he promised to send Kayihura.
The residents told Kayihura that, Ocana removed powers from the Beach Management Unit (BMU) committees and created lots of problems in the sites.
David Ogwang, the chairperson BMU Garama said Ocana told them not to arrest fishermen with illegal fishing gears, arguing that they were not well trained to handle that.
“He told us that we should not continue with our work since we were not trained. And the people he arrests, he asks them for money to have them released,†said Ogwang.
Grace Agudo, a member of the BMU at Garama said since the deployment of Ocana in the area five months ago, the illegal fishing has again increased because people are not bothered since they are using money to have their illegal gears cast in the waters.
However, some residents said Ocana is not alone. “He found the system on, and because he removed the powers from the BMUs who have also been using that for eating, conflict has now erupted between the marines and the BMUs,†said Musa Emaru.
Kayihura reprimanded the officer for the act and promised that whoever has been involved will be brought to book.
Kayihura said he created a unit headed by Samuel Ekelot, police commandant to address the complaints of the residents.
“We are supposed to protect life and property, but not to wreck havoc,†he said.
Ocana is detained at Soroti Central Police Station. The regional Police commander for Mid Eastern, Alison Agaba said he will only be saved from punishment by law if evidence doesn’t incriminate him.
Asked for reaction Ocana said what he has been doing was based on the law.
“I have helped the community here by quelling the problem of beatings which was becoming rampant amongst them over fishing space,†he said.
Kaihura however was dismissive of Ocana’s remarks.
“We must act professionally. Ocana has a case to answer. If some one is fishing, and you suspect something wrong from him, you don’t have to use your authority to harass the person. You have got to ask what crime has been followed and help such person know,†said Kayihura.
He said if any arrests have to be made, the marines have to liaise with the local leaders, RDC and the police. He was whatever a person does, he or she will account for it.