Seven arrested for allegedly pouring salt in government grader engine
They are being held at Masindi Central Police Station and may face charges of vandalism if found responsible.
Masindi: Police in Masindi this morning detained seven people from the works department of Masindi Municipality following allegations of vandalism after salt was reportedly poured into the engine of a government grader.
The grader, valued at UGX 800 million (approx. USD 213,000) and registered as UAJ 932X, is a crucial asset for road improvement in the municipality.
A driver, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that he had used the grader over the weekend without any issues and parked it afterward.
According to Albertine region police spokesperson Allan Hakiza, the police took action based on intelligence reports and arrested several staff members suspected of involvement in the act.
The detained individuals include machine operators and security guards from the municipality, though their identities have been kept confidential as investigations continue.
They are being held at Masindi Central Police Station and may face charges of vandalism if found responsible.
Masindi Municipality Mayor Ronald Businge Kyomuhendo expressed disappointment upon confirming the incident. “I went to cross-check and discovered that it was true. This grader, worth UGX 800 million, is crucial in improving our roads,” he said. Fortunately, he noted, the damage was identified before the engine was started.
Kyomuhendo suggested that internal conflicts within the works department might have led to this incident and highlighted ongoing security challenges within the municipality, mentioning plans to install CCTV cameras to improve security.
Simon Peter Ochiti, the officer in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department at Masindi Central Police Station, encouraged the municipality’s staff to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation. “We are here to get the facts, not to witch-hunt,” Ochiti stated during his visit to the scene, adding that samples had been taken for analysis.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Sanon Dhaala condemned the act, stressing that such incidents damage the government’s image.
“Replacing such equipment is challenging. If there are disagreements, they should not be expressed this way. We must work patriotically,” he said. Dhaala also raised concerns about the lack of maintenance of the graders and a preference for hiring equipment rather than repairing municipal assets.
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