Officer in charge of fighting corruption in traffic police investigated for abuse of office

The Inspector-General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola has ordered for investigations into the conduct of Assistant Superintendent of Police, Moses Mutabingwa, the officer in charge of Traffic Alert Squad over abuse of office.

The Traffic Alert Squad is an office in the police force that is directly mandated with battling corruption in the traffic police unit, especially taking bribes from motorists.

In a July 25, 2019 letter, Ochola wrote to the Police Professional Standards Unit commandant asking him to investigate Mutabingwa following a complaint over impunity and miscarriage of justice by the officer.

“This office is in receipt of a petition from Sgt. Idi Kalulu and three others accusing ASP Moses Mutabingwa of abuse of office, sectarianism, nepotism, unfair treatment and unprofessional conduct,” Ochola’s letter reads in part.

“The purpose of this letter is to require your office to investigate the allegations and submit a report to this office for further necessary action.”

Traffic Alert Squad

The Traffic Alert Squad that ASP Mutabingwa heads is mandated with fighting corruption in the traffic police unit.

The office was formed in 2014 after complaints by President Museveni against the traffic police unit in regards corruption and bribery.

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The office receives complaints from members of the public against traffic police officers before taking further action.

In January, over 800 traffic officers were arrested for taking bribes from motorists.

Last year, a total of ten Traffic Police chiefs were reverted from the unit to the general duties for taking bribes and extorting money from motorists.

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,” read the message from the Police Human Resource Directorate.