By Obed Kankiriho
Three members of Kabale’s new Central Market Allocation Committee have been arrested over alleged mess and gross extortion during the exercise.
The arrested are, Kabale Municipality health inspector Andrew Beija, the Chairman of the Relocations team Wilson Agaba, and Alex Muhumuza a member of the registration team.
They were arrested on orders of Raphael Magyezi, Local government minister.
Magyezi is in Kabale to act on the findings report that was carried out by an investigative committee led by Ronald Bakak, Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner, and others from the Local government ministry.
Magyezi instituted the committee in January 2023 following an outcry by some vendors against the municipal authorities led by the Mayor, Emmanuel Sentaro Byamigisha, and the Assistant Program Officer in Charge of Community Development in the Ministry of Local Government Prosy Tuhiriirwe for bungling up the relocation exercise.
The vendors said the municipal leaders had allegedly received bribes ranging from shillings 02-50 million to sell stalls and lockups to unknown people, civil servants, and their relatives.
On Saturday, Magyezi held a lengthy meeting with Kabale Municipality authorities and district security officials at White Horse Inn where they discussed the report and forged means of how to solve the issues.
During the meeting, 36 stood and accused municipality officials led by Byamugisha, Baija, Muhumuza, Agaba, and Kabale Municipality Commercial Officer Fidelis Akankwasa of alleged extortion.
Disgruntled vendors led by Richard Rukundo, Friday Byamugisha, and George Rwandare testified before the minister how the exercise left them frustrated with no lockups and stalls yet they were operating in the old market before demolition to construct a modern one.
Magyezi then ordered the arrest of Baija, Muhumuza, and Agaba after they started giving contradicting statements as they defend accusations against them.
Magyezi also ordered the arrest of Akankwasa despite being on the run. He also says that the Byamugisha and other officials attached to the local government ministry who were overseeing the allocation exercise will be investigated.
The suspects were whisked to Kabale central police station for detention.
