The latest scandal to engulf Uganda Police involves senior officers who are accused of embezzling shs 15 billion for food supply.
An official in the police who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprimand said the money mismanaged was supposed to procure food for policemen, their families and suspects in cells across the country.
This website has learnt that those named in the scandal include among others former Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander who now heads Tourism Police Frank Mwesigwa, Late Andrew Felix Kaweesi, National Crime Preventers Forum (NCPF) director Blaise Kamugisha and many more.
The source added that the implicated officers swindled the money during General Kale Kayihura’s regime.
Kayihura’s leadership was weighed down by allegations of criminality before he was sacked and several of his commanders arrested and detained by the military intelligence.
Whereas Kayihura is out on bail, other senior officers remain in detention on charges of kidnap, espionage and robbery.
Frank Mwesigwa was transferred whereas a Crime Preventers- an auxiliary force was put under the army.
A source said that the shs 15 billion is being probed by Military Intelligence led by Brig. Abel Kandiho which previously carried out most arrests of top police officers.
“The report is almost done and it will be handed over to the President and police leadership,” said a source.
This website has since established that the shs 15 billion was removed from Police SACCO on condition that it would be refunded after police budget would be approved between the period of 2016 and 2017 in vain.
“The SACCO chairperson was approached and he agreed to release the money,” said a source.
Money mismanaged is a contribution of every police officer deducted on salary towards the SACCO every month.
“The chairperson is now under pressure on how to recover the money,” said a source.
Before Kayihura was sacked he had implored government to bail the Force with shs 125 billion to cover debts.
“Kalulu had hopes he would get the 15 billion if government bailed police,” a source said.
TrumpetNews again understands that whereas Military Intelligence is formally probing the scandal, the IGP Martin Okoth Ochola has instructed the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) boss William Okalany to conduct parallel investigations into the matter.
However, the directive is not official.
We have further learnt that PSU concluded its findings.
“The results appalled the IGP,” said a source.
Early this year, food suppliers ganged up against police accusing the institution of failing to clear debts amounting to billions.
They vowed to boycott police.
Separately, a posho supplier identified as Frank Mugarura openly accused Mr. Blaise Kamugisha the leader of Crime Preventers of swindling shs 20 millio.
Mr. Mugarura told this website last year that he had received only shs 1 million as part of payment for 20 million.
Contacted to substantiate on these allegations, police SACCO boss Henry Kalulu couldn’t answer our repeated calls.
The publicist Emilian Kayima said he was unaware of any probe instituted by both Military Intelligence and PSU saying normally he is usually briefed in case of such development.