But Innocent Omara, a human right lawyer in Lira town, says Adokos claim shouldnt be misinterpreted. He asks police to engage Adoko to substantiate his claims and provide evidence to facilitate investigations.
Civil Society activists in Lira want the North Kyoga Region Police Commander; John Peter Ematu investigated for alleged connivance with counterfeit currency dealers and befriending suspected thugs.
It stems from a complaint made by Michael Adoko, a local activist on Voice of Lango in Lira town last week implicating the RPC for befriending counterfeit currency dealers and thugs, a claim that triggered his arrest.
Adoko appeared in court on Monday for defamation after spending four days in police custody, which released him on cash bail of Shillings 200,000.
Morris Chris Ongom, the Executive Director of GLOFORD Uganda, a local Non-Governmental Organization operating in Northern Uganda, says wants police to investigate the allegations leveled against Ematu.
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He says Adoko should have been treated as a whistled blower instead of being arrested and prosecuted.
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But David Ongom Mudong, the North Kyoga Region police spokesperson, says police can't open investigations against the RPC without a complainant.
Ematu has denied the allegations leveled against him, saying that he is pursuing the matter as an individual who feels offended and affected by Adoko's utterances.
But Innocent Omara, a human right lawyer in Lira town, says Adoko's claim shouldn't be misinterpreted. He asks police to engage Adoko to substantiate his claims and provide evidence to facilitate investigations.
This is not the first time Ematu is accused of aiding crime and protecting criminals. In 2017, Joseph Omongo, a suspected robber claimed that he and members of his gang were working under the protection of the RPC.
Omongo was re-arrested after escaping from Lira Central Police and sent to Lira prison where he died later. In March 2018, Denis Okello, a local security informant in Lira district also accused Ematu and other senior police commanders of protecting criminals.
Okello was later arrested and jointly accused with the Lira District Police Commander, Joel Tubanone of threatening violence against a resident of Akia village. He was remanded to Lira Central Government Prison while Tubanone was dragged to Police Standards Unit for further investigation.
Ronald Odongo
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