Police in Mubende have arrested Peter Kyagera, the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer for Kassambya Constituency, over allegations of forging a Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Personal Registration Number (PRN) receipt used during the nomination process.
According to Ferdinand Tumwesige Mulekezi, the Electoral Commission District Returning Officer for Mubende, Kyagera presented a fake document claiming he had paid Shs 3 million as nomination fees.
“At first, he said he paid the money in cash at the Electoral Commission offices in Kampala, which surprised me. When I interrogated him further, he changed his statement and said he had paid through the NUP head offices,” Mulekezi said.
Mulekezi explained that the inconsistencies in Kyagera’s account prompted him to contact the Electoral Commission headquarters to verify the authenticity of the receipt number.
“When our finance officials entered receipt number 2283, it produced payment details belonging to David Kabanda, also a candidate for Kassambya Constituency,” Mulekezi said, adding that he immediately alerted the police upon confirming the forgery.
“Since it was a forgery case, I had to inform the police. He was taken to Mubende Central Police Station to record a statement, and we are now waiting for official communication from my bosses to determine whether he can still be nominated,” he noted.
Sources indicated that the NUP later paid the required Shs3 million to facilitate Kyagera’s nomination. However, Mulekezi warned that forgery is a serious offence and cautioned party members against drawing parallels with previous cases.
“Yes, they have paid, but they should not assume Kyagera can be nominated while in custody like Mufumbiro, because his case involves forgery. We are waiting for official communication from my superiors,” Mulekezi said.
When contacted for a comment, Kyagera denied knowledge of any forgery, insisting that all his documents were genuine.
“I didn’t know about this issue because I have always used original documents. In fact, I even guided Hon. Steven Ndagizimaana, who was nominated without that receipt,” Kyagera said.
Kyagera remains detained at Mubende Central Police Station as investigations continue.