Aquino Matega, the Deputy Chief Law Enforcement Officer Masaka Municipality is in trouble over alleged bribery. He was picked up on Tuesday evening near Masaka Golf Course along Sazza Road by detectives from the office of the Inspectorate of Government for allegedly soliciting a bribe of 200,000 shillings.
It all started on Monday when Matego was deployed to demolish illegal kiosks in Kasana Zone in Nyendo Senyange Division. It is alleged that Matega started soliciting bribes from affected traders not to demolish their stalls. He allegedly asked Asuman Kiyingi, one of the vendors for a bribe of shillings 500,000 so that he issues him with a temporally license to spare his kiosk.
Kiyingi agreed to pay him shillings 200,000 and clear the balance later. However, Kiyingi tipped off the officers from the Regional Inspectorate Officer in Masaka who laid a trap for the suspect. Reuben Bainomujuni, the Masaka Regional Inspectorate Officer says that Matega was found in possession of the 200,000 shillings, he had just received from Kiyingi.
Bainomujuni explains that they have been trailing Matega since last year after some traders pinned him for soliciting bribes. He says that his office has cases of extortion against the law enforcement, which he must answer in the anti- corruption court.
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Noah Sserunjogi, the Southern Region police spokesperson says that Matega is being held at Masaka central police station, but he will be handed back to IGG to be transferred to Kampala to appear before the anti corruption court. Matega accuses the IGG’s office for setting him up but admits receiving the money, saying he was broke.
The suspect says that he is ready to refund the money. Some residents of Masaka municipality have applauded the efforts of the IGG to curb corruption, but want him to investigate senior officials implicated in corruption as well.
Peter Mutesasira, a local politician in Masaka says arresting Matega for soliciting a bribe of 200, 000 shillings is not enough when close to shillings 150 million meant for installing street lighting has disappeared without any trace. He wants the IGG to investigate Augustine Turibarungi, the Municipality engineer and town clerk Johnson Baryantuma to explain the whereabouts of the money.
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Johnson Baryantuma, the Masaka Town Clerk says the street lights will be installed this financial year. He says the project was delayed by the long procurement procedures and financial constraints.
