The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Mukono District, Elizabeth Namanda, has called on police to arrest individuals who are allegedly extorting money from businesses and institutions while posing as government officials.
Namanda has petitioned the District Police Commander (DPC) to take immediate action against fraudsters using forged documents, including official letterheads, employment identity cards, and branded materials from Mukono District.
These individuals have reportedly been visiting factories, private construction sites, and schools, demanding money under the guise of collecting local government revenue.
“They have repeatedly received cash from unsuspecting people, yet this money never reaches the district’s coffers,” Namanda stated in her complaint.
Although Namanda did not name specific individuals in her petition, the call for action comes just weeks after Mukono District Chairperson, Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, warned Councillor Yayiro Mpirito against using the district’s identity to extort money from schools.
Meanwhile, another councillor, Samuel Odongo, has reacted strongly to the CAO’s complaint.
In district WhatsApp groups, Odongo accused Namanda of hypocrisy, claiming that some civil servants misuse their positions and therefore lack the moral authority to confront others.
Odongo, together with Mpirito, admitted to soliciting money and items from factories to support Muslims during the fasting period.
He argued that their success in securing funds should not be considered theft.
“If the DPC calls me in, I will expose many hidden secrets about the CAO and ensure other authorities, including the Inspectorate of Government, are informed. Let us be, and we will let you be,” Odongo warned.
Community Reacts
The allegations have sparked debate within the Mukono community, with residents questioning why an elected councillor would use knowledge of government accountability gaps as leverage rather than working to fix them.
Many locals are urging the CAO to proceed with investigations to ensure those engaging in fraudulent activities are brought to justice.
As tensions rise, the spotlight is now on the Mukono District Police Commander to act on the petition and determine the extent of the alleged fraud.
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