Police officers at Oyam central police station have been accused of corruption by the local community, who claim that officers demand money from suspects and complainants in exchange for police bond and statement recordings.
These reports were presented during a meeting organized by IGNITE CHANGE, an organization that supports vulnerable people in Oyam district, including orphans, widows, and young mothers.
The report stated that police at Oyam central police station frequently ask for money from complainants to record their cases. In addition, suspects who are given police bond are required to pay a “lodge fee,” and the police do not follow up to re-arrest suspects who fail to report back. This behavior is discouraging community members from reporting cases of defilement, as they have lost hope in the police’s ability to handle criminal cases.
Nommy Otyeno, the project manager at IGNITE CHANGE, stated that the community in Oyam has lost faith in the police and their ability to handle criminal cases. Connie Atto, a local resident of Oyam town council, claimed that the police release suspects on police bond after receiving money from them and do not follow up with their re-arrest, even when requested by complainants.
RDC Oyam Hope Atuhaire expressed disappointment at the reports of police corruption and ordered DPC Oyam Innocent Mubangizi to take action against the officers involved.
However, Innocent Mubangizi, the DPC Oyam, stated that he had heard similar complaints from concerned citizens in Oyam district, but no one had officially reported them to his office. He promised to hold a meeting with his officers to address the community’s concerns regarding the behavior of officers at Oyam CPS.
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