Residents in Serere earlier this week braved and arrested Dennis Elwelu, a police officer attached to criminal investigation at Serere Central Police after he allegedly demanding for a bribe from Michael Opima, a produce dealer in the area.
According to Opima, he reached out to Elwelu to assist him arrest a suspect who owed Opima Shs60,000, a weighing scale and a calculator. Opima alleged that the officer asked for Shs50,000 to help him follow up case which he accepted.
Opima further narrated that he tasked his son to go to the market and vend peas so that they can raise the money. At the time, they only managed to raise Shs20,000 which Opima immediately paid to the officer.
Elwelu, however decided to pass by the market to pick his balance. Opima gave it him but vigilant traders led by Jerry Okello decided to question Elwelu why he was soliciting money from Opima.
The officer claimed that he had supplied Opima with peas and has come for his pay. Opima used the chance to explain to the colleagues how the officer was holding him ‘ransom’ to help him solve a case.
The residents arrested Elwelu and took him to Serere police but was later transferred to Soroti Central Police for further interrogation.
,Michael Odongo, the regional police spokesperson confirmed Elwelu’s arrest and revealed that a corruption file case against their officer has been opened up pending to be sent to the Resident State Attorney for advice.