Ugandan minister arrested for ‘collecting bribe’

Herbert Kabafunzaki, a Ugandan minister, who is also a member of parliament, has been arrested for allegedly taking a bribe from Mohammed Hamid, a hotel owner.

The junior minister for labour, employment and industrial relation had promised that he would in return help Hamid deal with sexual harassment accusations from one of his workers.

Emilian Kayima, police spokesman, said Kabafunzaki was arrested in Kampala Serena Hotel shortly after taking a bribe of 5 million shillings ($1,385).

His bodyguard and one other person were also arrested.

The amount was part payment of toal of 10 million shillings that he had demanded from Hamid.

“He had promised to help him (hotel owner) sort out that issue,” Kayima said.

“He was arrested shortly after he had received the first installment of 5 million shillings.”

State Minister Hon. Herbert Kabafunzaki & clearing agent Brian Mugabo arrested for allegedly soliciting a bribe from the Proprietor of AYA. pic.twitter.com/4SqGNuu5Ya

— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) April 8, 2017

According to Uganda Sunday Monitor, Hamid is the boss at Aya Group, the proprietors of the Hilton Hotel in Kampala.

One of his former employees alleged that he sexually harassed and molested her before she was summarily sacked last year.

Taking bribes and embezzlement of public funds is rampant in the east African country but arrest of ministers and other top government officials accused of graft is rare.

Government critics often blame graft on long ruling President Yoweri Museveni who they say is reluctant to punish corrupt but loyal supporters.

Museveni, 72, has been in power since 1986.

Business people routinely complain of being asked by government officials to pay bribes before receiving services and the critics say the vice undermines the flow of investment and stifles entrepreneurship.

And as the Monitor reported, President Museveni authorised the sting operation against Kabafunkazi to warn other ministers that the war against corruption is not a mere lip service.

According to the global Corruption Perception Index (CPI), corruption in Uganda is getting worse, it was ranked 127th in 2010, 143 in 2011, 130 in 2012, 140 in 2013, 142 in 2014 and 151 in 2016.