KABALE RDC ORDERS ARREST FOR MORE THREE PEOPLE AFTER MINISTER MAGYEZI DID THE SAME FOR TWO OFFICERS AT KABALE MARKET

Story by Byamukama Libino.

In Kabale

The Kabale district deputy RDC Mr Bakaki Ronald has ordered the arrest of three more people that participated in the extorting of Kabale Central market vendors before they occupied the market.

Ugx 23 billion facility which was constructed by chong chuing international construction (cico), a Chinese based company under the world bank-funded markets and agricultural trade improvement program – matip iii from 2019

The ones to be arrested are the chairperson of vendors Kabale central market, Canon Joshua Mutekanga, Benon Nfitumukiza the Principal town agent, southern division in Kabale municipality and Fideris Akankwasta the Kabale Municipal Commercial Officer

Addressing the journalists in his office, the Kabale district deputy RDC said that there is overwhelming evidence that the three participated in corning people’s money and that the accused cornered Mr Steven Ntunga 45 Million, Rev Fr 30 million among others.

The deputy RDC said that he has also realized that the produce section in Kabale central market all the people there are not the rightful owners of the lockups but tenants

“from what we have seen and observed with evidence from even religious leaders, I the deputy RDC have ordered for the arrest and investigation into three people market master Benon Nfitumukiza the Principal town agent, southern division in Kabale municipality the chairperson of market vendors Joshua Mutekenga and the principal commercial officer Kabale municipality” he added

He further said that Benon Nfitumukiza the Principal town agent, southern division in Kabale municipality who was arrested that night (30th January 2023) was later released on police bond, but due to his continuous threats on the vendors, DRDC has ordered for his re arrest

On 31st the minister of local government Hon. Raphael Magyezi intervened in the saga of the Kabale central market and ordered for the immediate arrest of two Kabale municipal officials for obtaining money by false pretense from vendors and landlords.

The suspects who included Benon Nfitumukiza the Principal town agent, southern division in Kabale municipality, and Fideris Akankwasa the Kabale Municipal Commercial Officer where alleged to have engaged in acts of soliciting bribes from vendors and lock up owners promising to give them stalls and lock-ups.

The minister ordered the immediate arrest of the two officers on 30th January at night during the mediation meeting at Kabale Municipal offices between a section of aggrieved lock-up owners and Municipal officials demanding an explanation on how lock-ups and stalls were allocated to vendors.

Magyezi said that he had constituted a committee led by the Kabale Resident District Commissioner, the District Internal Security Officer, and an official from the Local Government Ministry to investigate what transpired.

According to Magyezi, the committee will investigate if indeed the authorities received bribes to allocate stalls and lockups to unknown people, civil servants, and their relatives as claimed by disgruntled vendors.

He also says that the committee will probe if it is true Byamugisha was leading the allocation team