A 25-year-old man is in police custody in Kassanda District after he allegedly attempted to bribe an investigating officer with Shs50,000 to secure the release of two suspects accused of stealing road construction materials.
The suspect, identified as Andrew Wasswa, a resident of Kyamusota Village in Kawungera Parish, Kiganda Town Council, was arrested at Kiganda Police Station shortly after allegedly approaching the investigating officer handling the theft case.
According to Wamala Regional Police spokesperson Lameck Kigozi, Wasswa reportedly offered the money to Police Officer Peter Auruku in an attempt to influence the ongoing investigation and have the two suspects released from custody.
Kigozi said the officer immediately rejected the offer, leading to Wasswa’s arrest. The Shs50,000 note was recovered and has since been retained as evidence in the case.
“He attempted to offer the investigating officer Shs50,000 so that the suspects could be released. He was arrested on the spot, and the money was recovered as an exhibit,” Kigozi said.
Wasswa has since been charged with giving a bribe to a public officer with the intention of defeating the course of justice.
The two suspects at the centre of the alleged bribery attempt have been identified as Pascal Sekyanzi, 47, of Nyanzi LC1, and John Kiyingi, 58, of Kigoloba LC1, both residents of Kiganda Town Council.
Police allege the pair was found in possession of two heaps of stolen stone base belonging to Energo Project Company, the contractor undertaking construction works on the Mityana–Mubende Road.
The arrests followed a complaint lodged by Sajon Ngunule, Chairperson of the Workers’ Union at Energo Project Company, who reported the disappearance of the construction materials.
The suspects remain detained at Kiganda Police Station as investigations continue.
Kigozi said files for all three suspects will be submitted to the Resident State Attorney in Kassanda District for legal review before they are produced in court.
Police have reiterated their warning against attempts to interfere with criminal investigations through bribery, saying anyone found offering or soliciting illegal payments will face prosecution. The force has also urged members of the public to report incidents of corruption involving both civilians and public officials.
English 