By Andrew Irumba
Bukomansimbi: A senior Uganda police officer has been suspended over allegations that he solicits bribes from suspects, in order to ‘kill’  the cases under investigation.
Steven Musinguzi, the CIID Officer of Bukomansimbi police, was suspended after police getting repeated complaints of bribery labeled against him by people who seek police services from him. The Greater Masaka Regional Police Commander Enoch Baine announced the suspension on Thursday, during a community meeting held in Bukomansimbi town council.
Last week, Police arrested Abdul Muyingo, a crime preventer in Kitanda Sub County and his wife on allegations of child trafficking, but the suspects were released and fled before being charged. Residents led by Safina Namukwaya pinned Musinguzi on having connived with suspects to frustrate the case. Baine decided that Musingusi steps aside and be investigated by the regional Police Professional Standard Unit-PSU. Baine explained that he is going to request police human resource directorate to deploy another officer to help streamline the police operations in Bukomansimbi.
He added that he had instructed the arrest of the suspected child kidnappers, but was surprised when they were released without his knowledge. Meanwhile, Shafique Mwanje, the Bukomansimbi district National Resistance Movement-NRM party chairperson, has also asked Regional Police Commander to consider transferring all officers that overstayed in the area if they are to have to improve police services and restore public trust in the area.
