By Richard Onapatum
Five Mbale council officials were arrested for vandalism, excluding the team leader, who is currently on the run, after they were found vandalizing government road culverts on Bufumbo Road near the office of the Deputy RCC of the industrial division.
Deputy RCC in charge of the industrial division, Hamuza Banja, revealed that he was tipped off about people digging out the culverts that connect the road to his office.
Mr. Banja explained that upon receiving the information, he contacted the team leader, identified as Kitutu Robert, who claimed he was sent by the city engineer to remove the culverts.
However, when Mr. Banja called the city engineer to verify, the engineer denied giving any such instruction.
Kitutu then changed his story, alleging that the Mbale city mayor had sent him.
When contacted, the mayor also denied this and ordered the arrest of those involved in the vandalism.
Police subsequently arrested the five officials, but Kitutu Robert managed to escape and is now on run.
The five are currently detained at Mbale Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Deputy RCC Banja emphasized that vandalizing government property is unacceptable, especially since the road is under the jurisdiction of the Uganda National Roads Authority.
He noted that Kitutu, who is a cashier at the northern city division, falsely pretended to be an engineer to carry out the vandalism.
“Kitutu is on the run, but we will arrest him,” RCC Banja vowed.