{UAH} Pojim/WBK: Kayihura, Akullo in turf war

http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/37501-kayihura-akullo-in-turf-war

Kayihura, Akullo in turf war

Written by Edris Kiggundu

Last Updated: 24 April 2015

At loggerheads: Grace Akullo and Kale Kayihura

Police chief has created a parallel investigation outfit
The working relationship between police chief Gen Kale Kayihura and CIID boss Grace Akullo is strained following bitter disagreements over the police handling of several investigations, The Observer has learnt.

Well-placed police sources told us this week that the fight between the two senior police officers is not only about performance but also about power, ego and control of resources within the police force. According to these sources, the revelation by Akullo this week that two of her detectives had taken bribes to kill the Shs 169bn pension scam investigation was in reaction to criticism by Gen Kayihura.

During one recent heated meeting, the sources said, Kayihura accused Akullo of failing to supervise her detectives, leading to shoddy work. Akullo, the head of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate (CIID), was also reacting to sections of the public who felt that poor investigations by her staff had enabled the suspects named in the pension scam to get away easily.

The case was dismissed on April 14 by Sarah Langa, the chief magistrate at the Anti-Corruption court, after prosecution failed to expedite it. The most prominent suspect in the case is Christopher Obey, the former principal accountant in the ministry of Public Service, who allegedly masterminded the swindle.

After the case was dismissed, our sources said, Kayihura turned the guns on Akullo. Akullo, in turn, accused two detectives Moses Kato and George Komurubuga, according to Daily Monitor, of picking bribes to kill off the investigation.She also revealed in the same news story that the accused had tried to bribe her through an unnamed journalist.

Our sources further told us that Kayihura's frustration with Akullo's CIID had earlier led him to create a parallel investigation outfit named Special Operations Unit (SOU). This move did not go down well with Akullo, who believed it was aimed at curtailing her powers and denying CIID operational funds. Akullo is said to have reacted by withdrawing CIID officers involved in cases being handled by SOU.

Many of the SOU operatives are drawn from the disbanded Rapid Response Unit (RRU) which was based in Kireka, near Kampala. The SOU, headed by Nickson Agasiirwe, is based in Jinja. However, Agasiirwe is said to report to Geoffrey Musana, the deputy CIID chief. In turn, Musana reports directly to Kayihura, not Akullo.

We have learnt that while Kayihura is happy with the work of SOU, some officers attached to CIID are not. For this reason, there is friction and mutual suspicion between the two sets of operatives.  Contacted for a comment yesterday, Akullo denied that there was any friction between her and Kayihura.

"I just hear it that way but I don't know. Ask the people who told you [that we disagree]," Akullo told The Observer at parliament where she had gone to appear before the committee on defence and internal affairs.

Kayihura did not pick or return our calls yesterday. But in a statement released on Wednesday in relation to Akullo's bribery revelations, the police chief tried to play down the rift.  He praised CIID's handling of the pension scam investigation.

"In fact, the CIID working closely with the DPP did a commendable job," Kayihura stated.

He added: "Accordingly, the assertions in the [Daily Monitor] story that the police killed the case are not correct. The case is alive and kicking and will be caused to be reinstated by the DPP as we have indicated above, and thanks to the efforts of the police, there is sufficient evidence implicating the suspects, and which will be adduced when the hearing takes off. There is, therefore, no cause to be disheartened or disappointed." 
AKULLO'S CLOUT

Part of the reason why Kayihura has not acted radically against Akullo is because he is aware she has grown powerful not only in police circles but also on the political front. Akullo is arguably the most powerful CIID chief since the days of Chris Bakiza.

According to sources within the police force, this is attributable to the fact that unlike her immediate predecessors such as Edward Ochom and Elizabeth Kutesa, Akullo has direct access to President Museveni.

The president has previously praised her, particularly over the handling of loss of public funds cases, notably the scam in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Akullo was instrumental in the nailing of the OPM's former principal accountant, Geoffrey Kazinda, for the loss of billions meant for northern Uganda reconstruction.

Kazinda is serving time in Luzira prison while battling more cases in court. Speaking at a memorial service of Akullo's late father Stanley Okello in Dokolo in December 2014, Museveni praised her for being hardworking and exemplary.

"I did not even know her name but the system identified her and I appointed her…the NRM is a merit-based organisation only concerned about what you can do, not who you are…," the president said.

More recently, Museveni nominated Akullo to chair the Financial Intelligence Authority, a new body that will investigate cases related to fraud and money laundering. More so, Akullo is politically strategic because she is one of very few senior public officials hailing from the Lango sub-region, where President Museveni has been making inroads after a long time in opposition to his reign. 
ekiggundu@observer.ug

Kayihura, Akullo in turf war

http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/37501-kayihura-akullo-in-turf-war

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