Police Must Probe Judge Bribery Claims, Says Govt.

(From The Monitor (Uganda) - AAGM)

Byline: Frank Nyakairu & Jude Luggya

The government has said the police should institute a prompt investigation into allegations that the Deputy Chief Justice and a judge of the High Court received bribes from the President's Office in order to sabotage the course of justice in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Kizza Besigye's twin trial.

In a public statement dated December 31, Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya said police authorities "must quickly investigate whether there is any substance in the contents of [the letter written by FDC leaders to the Chief Justice] so that again the law may take its course".

Dr Makubuya, who is also the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, said he "cannot let the matter pass without an immediate position".

He said, "This is a very serious matter which police authorities will no doubt investigate."

At the same time, however, Makubuya said the "timing and circumstances surrounding" the publication of the FDC letter suggested it was "a …