By Stanley Ebele
The police in Kotido are still keeping in their custody two senior district officials being investigated over mismanagement of Emyooga projects disbursed in 2019, in violation of the 48 hour rule.
The Ugandan constitution requires that a suspected is produced in courts or law with 48 hours of the arrest or be released on bond.
Tadeo Muria, the former Commercial Official of Kotido District and Daniel Lowot, the Commercial Officer of Kotido Municipality, were arrested on Friday last week. According to reports, preliminary investigations show that unspecified amount of the Emyooga funds was mismanaged or embezzled.
SP Hussein Hassan Sekalema, the Kotido DPC, confirmed to our reporter on Tuesday that the two officials including two leaders of Jie County Performers Association; Hassan Teko and Alice Nakiru also being questioned over the Emyooga funds in their association are still in their custody. The two association leaders are both accused of not disbursing the money to the members.
Sekalema, says the files against the suspects have not yet been forwarded to the Resident State Attorney-RSA for perusal and legal advice due to incomplete investigations.
Ignatius Omaset, the Resident State Attorney Kotido magisterial area, also confirmed to our reporter that the file is yet to reach his office.
Gloria Vicky Auma, the Uganda Human Rights Commission Legal Officer, while speaking to our reporter on Tuesday said all actors in the Justice, Law and Order sector should respect the 48 hour liberty rule.
Article 23, paragraph (f) of the Uganda constitution indicates that a person arrested or detained—for the purpose of bringing him or her before a court in execution of an order of a court; or upon reasonable suspicion of his or her having committed or being about to commit a criminal offence under the laws of Uganda, shall, if not earlier released, be brought to court as soon as possible but in any case not later than forty-eight hours from the time of his or her arrest.
