By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE
Eight Mbale National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) officers have been arrested and are currently being held at Busobo central police station over allegations of forgery and extortion.
The arrest was made on Monday, 7th September on orders of Mbale Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Sam Kashaka.
The suspects have been identified as Wamuwaya Henry, Wakhou Ramah, Muhisa Frank, Manyasi Joshua, Kujuna Anthony, Muleleni Bashiri, and one other whose particulars are still being verified by police.
The officials are accused of serious offences including allegedly forging the official ISO stamp and extorting money from desperate residents by promising to deliver National Identity Cards in fewer days.
According to the deputy RDC, the officials had pitched camp in Bumasule Sub-county, where NIRA is currently carrying out mass enrolment and ID renewal.
He said, instead of offering the free government service, the officials allegedly turned the exercise into a money making venture. Residents who wanted their IDs processed quickly were asked to pay Shs5000 above, depending on the urgency.
“The intelligence reached the office of the RDC, who swiftly moved in with security and caught them red-handed soliciting money from locals,” RDC said.
They were also found in possession of a suspected forged ISO stamp which they were allegedly using to authenticate documents illegally.
Kashaka condemned the act, saying it sabotages the government’s efforts to give all Ugandans free National IDs.
“These officials are paid by the Government of Uganda using taxpayers’ money. Their work is to serve Ugandans freely. Extorting money from the very people they are supposed to serve is not only criminal but also against the laws of Uganda,” Kashaka stated.
He warned all civil servants and NIRA field teams across Mbale that his office will not tolerate corruption.
“I urge the public to be very alert. Do not pay any money for a National ID. Anybody who requests money to give you a National ID service should be reported immediately to the nearest police station or to my office. We shall act,” he added.
The suspects are currently detained at Busoba Police Station as investigations kick off. Police say they will be charged with forgery and extortion if found culpable.
