Police search another CSO office

Police have this afternoon raided the offices of Uhuru Institute for Social Development, located at Katalima Crescent, Naguru, Kampala. They confiscated computers and other items.

In an application for a search warrant in the chief magistrate's court of Kampala at Buganda road, D/ASP Hilary Nuwahwereza, attached to CID headquarters in Kibuli swore an affidavit seeking for permission to impound and seize suspicious computers, documents, mobile phones and financial transaction files being kept or possessed by Uhuru Institute For Social Development.

The affidavit dated September 29, 2017 indicates that the seized items would be held as exhibits to help in investigations into case reported under CCTTT GEF 13/2017.

The magistrate ordered the operations director of Uhuru Institute to allow for the search of their premises and remove the items described if found.

Police last Wednesday carried out a similar operation and searched the headquarters of Action Aid Uganda, located in Kansanga near Kampala. The search warrant was applied for by D/AIP Henry Peter Walya.

The police obtained a search warrant from Makindye Magistrates Court, signed by Juliet Nakitende, a Magistrate. There are reports that the Police also searched the offices of Great Lakes Initiative for Strategic Studies.

The chief executive officer of Uhuru Institute, Leonard Okello, confirmed the search at his office. He told New Vision yesterday afternoon that the Police were already in his offices, but did not give details of what they took.

When contacted later, calls to his phone went unanswered.

Okello at one time worked with Actionaid International as the International Head for HIV/AIDS Programmes.