Police boss charged over receiving sh100,000 gratification

A senior police officer in charge of Soroti Police Station has been arrested for allegedly receiving a gratification of sh100,000 an offence he reportedly committed in 2012.

James Anyonga was arrested by investigators from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) in Soroti last week following a tipoff that he had asked for gratification.

According to the prosecution Anyonga was transferred to Kampala where he recorded statement before being taken to court to answer charges.

He was later on Friday charged with one count of corruptly receiving gratification contrary to section (2) (a) and section 26 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

Under the Anti- Corruption Act any person found guilty of offence of corruptly receiving gratification is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years or a fine not exceeding two hundred and forty currency points ( about sh4.8m) or both.

Anyonga was charged before Anti- Corruption Court Grade One Magistrate Peter Lochomin. He denied the charge and was granted cash bail of sh1m after he presented two sureties whom Lochomin said were substantial.

Anyonga's lawyer Richard Rwabwogo said he would not abscond his trial if released on bail.

Prosecution led by state attorney Clare Nsiima from Inspectorate of Government said Anyonga, being a police officer attached to Criminal Investigations and the Intelligence Directorate (CIID) at Soroti Central Police Station, on September20, 2012 received a gratification of sh100,000.

Nsiima said Anyonga allegedly received the money from Boniface Okumu as an inducement so as he could return his (Okumu) phone a Samsung Galaxy.

Okumu had been arrested for allegedly obtaining money by false pretence in another case.

It is alleged that when Okumu was arrested by the police, they confiscated his phone (Samsung Galaxy) but when he wanted his phone back, Anyonga allegedly demanded for sh100, 000 before he could return his phone.

Prosecution said detectives from IGG laid a trap and Anyonga was arrested but he reportedly jumped police bond, prosecution said for the last three year he has been evading justice.