The Directorate of CID has taken decisive action against a District Registration Officer attached to Kole district, Uganda, on charges of abuse of office. The officer, who is affiliated with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), allegedly engaged in unauthorized activities during his tenure in 2021.
It has come to light that during his deployment in Kole district, the officer, identified as Asiimwe Fabby Innocent, moved the crucial registration kit to Kampala without proper authorization. Shockingly, he proceeded to use the kit to register both Ugandan citizens and Foreign Nationals, flouting NIRA procedures and guidelines.
The gravest concern arises from the fact that many of the registered individuals reportedly presented forged documents at the time of registration. Furthermore, some registrations were carried out during late hours of the night, in direct contravention of NIRA guidelines. The implications of such actions are far-reaching, as unauthorized registrations open the doors to potential risks, including terrorism, money laundering, and human trafficking.
As a result of the investigation, the suspect is now scheduled to appear before the Anti-corruption division at Kololo, facing charges of Abuse of Office under C/S 11(1) of the Anti-corruption Act, as amended.
The Uganda Police Force (UPF) vows to remain steadfast in collaborating with law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who manipulate the National Identification System, a critical platform relied upon by numerous citizens. The officer’s actions have not only breached the trust vested in him but also undermined the very oath he took to serve and protect. He unlawfully registered individuals outside his jurisdiction, thereby compromising the integrity of the National Identity Documents issued by NIRA.
The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the National Identity Documents’ integrity. Measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future and to maintain the trust of the public in the registration process.
