IGG Cautions Akullo On Use Of Excessive Force

Appeared in Red Pepper on 22 Apr 2014

IGG Irene Mulyagonja sent CIID Director Grace Akullo, a piece of advice that only a true friend can give. Snoops reveal that Mulyagonja is worried about the way Akullo has been using her power especially now that her contract is expiring in a month's time. Mulyagonja during a recent interface at the Ombudsman's office in Kampala apparently told Akullo not to let power enter her head and turn her into a monster.

Mulyagonja was speaking after several people complained about Akullo saying she was abusively using her powers as CIID boss to arbitrarily sanction the arrest of people.

Flavia Waduwa, formerly the Undersecretary of OPM, was given as an example. She was humiliatingly arrested by operatives under Akullo's orders.

The IGG, who also by statute has powers to cause people's arrest, wondered why Akullo would opt to humiliate such senior civil servants as opposed to having them interrogated from within their offices. Or better still invite them to respond to CIID summons rather that going after them in the full glee of media cameras.

"We all have power to arrest people but we must always act with humility otherwise we become obsessed and make mistakes," IGG was quoted as counseling Akullo who promised to reflect on the advice.