Several officers ‘fired’ from traffic police over extortion

A total of ten Traffic Police chiefs have been reverted from the unit to the general duties with immediate effect over extortion, the Nile Post has learnt.

In a message from the Police Human Resource Directorate, the 10 regional traffic commanders mainly from upcountry stations have been reverted to general duties.

“The following officers are reverted from the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety to general duties and are directed to report to the Director Human Resource Management for further instruction,” reads the message.

The reverted officers include ASP Julius Luyima, who was recently appointed officer-in-charge (OC) of traffic in Masindi District and nine other traffic police chiefs from Soroti, Lira, Mbale, Tororo,Mubende, Kigezi, Mukono,Kisubi(Entebbe) and from Busoga North region.

Extortion

A source in police has told this website that the 10 police chiefs are accused of being involved in extortion of money from cyclists and motorists prompting their bosses to reign in on them.

In August last year, the Inspector General of Police,Martin Okoth Ochola instructed traffic police director Steven Kasiima to halt countrywide operations against errant boda boda riders and taxi drivers after over 500 complaints in regards extortion filed at the Police Professional Standards Unit (PSU).

Subsequently, a number of traffic police chiefs including the then Kampala Metropolitan Area Traffic police operations commander ASP Julius Luyima were transferred to upcountry stations.

Among the officers who fingers were being pointed at included Luyima who Boda Bodas and taxi drivers accused of impounding their motorcycles and vehicle on top of arresting the riders and drivers and release them after extorting money from them.

In August, police spokesperson Emilian Kayima confirmed during a press conference that police had started investigations into the claims.

“AIGP Dr Steven Kasiima has halted the massive countrywide traffic operations because of very many complaints and there is a possibility that some officers have abused these operations,”Kayima told journalists on August 6.

Speaking during the function to launch a new initiative against corruption, in December President Museveni said traffic police officers are still involved in extorting money from drivers while on the road.