KABALE, UGANDA: The Inspectorate of Government has arrested the Kabale District State Attorney, Mr Edwin Mbabazi over bribery claims after he was caught red-handed soliciting and receiving gratification of shs 125,000/- to close a criminal case.
According to a press statement released Thursday morning, the IG stated that Mbabazi had solicited shs 500,000 as an inducement to close a criminal case of trespass against a resident of Kyanamira town council but was arrested while receiving a part payment of Ushs 125,000.
The IG added that the suspect is now being transferred to Kampala where he will be charged accordingly.
“He is being brought to Kampala and will be charged for soliciting and receiving gratification,” the press statement reads in part.
Case Background
The Inspectorate of Government received a complaint from a member of the public who alleged that a case of criminal trespass was reported against him at Kyanamira Police Station and later, the case was transferred to Kabale Central Police Station.
He had been arrested and released on bond by Kabale Police on 30th September 2022. When he reported back to Police, he was told that his case had been forwarded to the State Attorney Kabale.
He then went to the office of the State Attorney to inform him that there was another civil matter which was before the Chief Magistrates Court, Kabale concerning the same land he was accused to trespass under court file No. Civil Misc. Application No. 39 of 2022.
The State Attorney then promised to peruse through his file and get back to him through his phone number.
It is alleged that Mbabazi (the state attorney) contacted him on Monday 10th October 2022 using the telephone number +25678855009 and asked him to offer a bribe worth UGX 500,000 in order to close the criminal case against him.
This prompted him to report the matter to Kabale Regional Office for redress.
Mbabazi’s arrest comes on the very day (October 13) when Uganda is joining the rest of the world to celebrate World Ombuds Day.
The IG Ms Beti Kamya Turwomwe in her message on this day reminded citizens of their right to quality service delivery and never to tolerate any lousy excuses from the public officials.
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