The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Amuru, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Amuru district security committee has launched an operation against unlawful roadblocks being operated by local leaders along major roads.
This follows rampant complaints of extortion the police have recorded from the business community dealing in produce, livestock and charcoal among others of local leaders impersonating as district revenue collection officers.
Last week, unknown people staged an illegal roadblock and waylaid a truck en-route to South Sudan at Keyo trading centre in Lamogi sub county and defrauded the occupants 300,000 Shillings for allegedly carrying smuggled goods.
Concy Amony, a charcoal dealer reported a fraudulent case at Awee police outpost after she was forced to pay over 150,000 Shillings in fine for carrying forest products, yet the revenue officers did not issue her a receipt.
George Ocan, the Opara sub county male councilor who doubles as the District Secretary of Health and Community Services notes that the criminals have created more revenue checkpoints especially in newly created administrative units targeting charcoal and timber dealers.
Stephen Ojara, Secretary to the Chief Administrative Officer revealed the mushrooming revenue checkpoints especially in newly created sub-counties of Opara, Pogo, Guru-guru, Layima and Lakang including town councils of Atiak, Elegu and Pabbo, causing revenue loss to the district.
Amuru District Police Commander Jonathan Apuwae condemned the act saying the perpetrators who are closely related to the politicians use barricades like logs to stop motorists threatening the safety of road users.
Geoffrey Oceng Osborn, the Resident District Commissioner – RDC and District Security Committee Chairperson explained the local leaders who are being implicated take advantage of the curfew time to defraud their victims.
However, no suspects have yet been arrested following the directive by the District Security Committee.
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