CCTV BRIBE SCANDAL PROBE WIDENS! Top Police Officer, 2 Juniors Probed Over Alleged Toyota Hilux Bribes Plot to Frustrate Shs26Bn Payment to Contractor
Investigations into the explosive CCTV project bribery scandal that has already shaken Uganda’s security establishment and forced several senior officials out of office are reportedly uncovering what sources describe as a complex web of intrigue, influence peddling and alleged attempts to frustrate payments due to a government contractor.
As detectives continue to comb through procurement records, payment files, project reports and witness statements, fresh allegations have emerged suggesting that some individuals involved in the CCTV project may have explored multiple strategies to undermine Dealan Associates (U) Ltd after the company secured the lucrative maintenance contract.
Sources familiar with the investigations claim that resistance to Dealan Associates did not begin after the contract was awarded but allegedly dates back to the procurement process itself.
According to sources, a senior police officer allegedly supported another company throughout the bidding process and was reportedly unhappy when Dealan eventually emerged successful.
He is even alleged to have pocketed a huge bribe to push his favourite company.
Investigators are now said to be examining claims that efforts were made at various stages to frustrate the contractor’s (Dealan) operations after it secured the deal.
The CCTV maintenance contract was one of the most important technology agreements within the security sector, involving maintenance, technical support, software licensing and operational support for thousands of surveillance cameras installed across the country.
Under the contract, Dealan Associates was expected to provide hardware support services worth Shs7.83 billion, software subscription and support services valued at Shs7.57 billion, operational tools services worth Shs3.65 billion, operation and maintenance services valued at Shs2.28 billion and consumable materials worth Shs1.18 billion. The total contract value stood at Shs26.586 billion, tax inclusive.
Sources claim that as Dealan commenced implementation of the contract, two junior officers attached to the CCTV project allegedly became key players in a broader effort to closely monitor the contractor’s activities.
Investigators are reportedly examining allegations that the officers were tasked with documenting shortcomings, failures and operational challenges encountered during execution of the contract.
According to sources, the objective was allegedly to build a case portraying the contractor as incompetent and incapable of delivering the required services.
Simply put—to author ‘bad reports’ about Dealan.
However, sources familiar with the project claim the strategy did not achieve the desired results.
As implementation progressed, Dealan continued carrying out maintenance work across the CCTV network while submitting periodic reports and invoices in accordance with contractual requirements.
The situation allegedly took a dramatic turn when the contractor began demanding payment for completed work.
Sources close to the investigations claim that some individuals allegedly sought kickbacks as a condition for processing payments. Other allegations being examined suggest there were attempts to inflate contract figures beyond the original value approved under the agreement.
When those alleged demands were not met, investigators are now looking into claims that pressure shifted towards generating ‘bad reports’ that could justify withholding part of the contractor’s payments.
According to sources, the two junior officers attached to the CCTV project allegedly authored reports highlighting alleged weaknesses in the contractor’s performance.
Investigators are examining whether those reports were prepared independently or whether external influence may have played a role in their preparation.
Sources allege that the ultimate objective was to create grounds for denying Dealan a substantial portion of the money claimed under the contract and then be shared among some officials.
The allegations have become even more sensational following claims that two Toyota Hilux Double Cabin vehicles (UA 9*2CL and UA 9*0 CL) were allegedly provided as rewards to the two junior officers attached to the CCTV project connected to the preparation of the ‘bad reports’.
Red Pepper has learnt that investigators are now examining transactions involving these vehicles which were reportedly purchased from Maybach Motors Ltd located on Ggaba Road in Kansanga owned by one Wilson Kanyankole.
Sources claim the vehicles were allegedly registered in the names of relatives of the officers rather than in the officers’ own names—names withheld for now
Investigators are now reportedly tracing ownership records, registration details and payment trails as part of the wider inquiry.
According to sources, the vehicles could become important pieces of evidence should investigators establish any connection between the transactions and the allegations currently under review.
The spotlight has also fallen on Maybach Motors, a company whose name has previously surfaced in high-profile investigations.
The company and its proprietor, Wilson Kanyankole, were years ago linked to investigations into an international vehicle theft ring involving luxury vehicles allegedly stolen from the United Kingdom and imported into Uganda. Those investigations generated significant public attention and triggered disputes within sections of the police force at the time.
Meanwhile, sources claim that Dealan Associates did not sit back as events unfolded.
According to individuals familiar with the matter, the company allegedly escalated its concerns to then Internal Affairs Minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire after becoming convinced that there was a coordinated effort to frustrate payment under the CCTV contract.
“They [two junior officers who were bribed with cars] were part of the CCTV project. They were allegedly used to write bad reports about Dealan so that payments could be frustrated. The matter was reported to Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire and investigations followed. The rest is now history,” a source familiar with the investigations told Red Pepper.
Documents obtained by Red Pepper show that on June 6, 2024, Uganda Police Force entered into a formal agreement with M/S Dealan Associates (U) Ltd under Procurement Reference No. UPF/NCONS/2023-2024/CFC/000015.
The contract was signed on behalf of Uganda Police Force by then Police Undersecretary Aggrey Wunyi and witnessed by police legal officer Robert Mukasa. On the contractor’s side, the agreement was executed by Managing Director Barbra Katisi.
Under the agreement, Dealan Associates was contracted to provide maintenance services, technical support upgrades, software licences, spare parts and related services necessary for the continued operation of Uganda’s national CCTV surveillance network.
Records show that hardware support services accounted for Shs7.83 billion, software subscriptions and support services were valued at Shs7.57 billion, operational tools services at Shs3.65 billion, operation and maintenance services at Shs2.28 billion and consumable materials at Shs1.18 billion.
The total contract value stood at Shs26.586 billion, inclusive of taxes.
What started as a routine maintenance arrangement has since exploded into one of the most sensitive investigations involving Uganda’s security infrastructure.
The scandal has already claimed several high-profile casualties, with Ministry of Internal Affairs Permanent Secretary Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, Police Undersecretary Aggrey Wunyi and AIGP Felix Baryamwisaki, the Director of ICT at Uganda Police Force, sent on forced leave as investigations intensify.
The matter reportedly gained momentum after complaints concerning unpaid contract funds reached President Yoweri Museveni, triggering a chain of inquiries involving anti-corruption agencies and security institutions.
At the centre of the controversy are questions surrounding contract implementation, payment approvals, alleged kickback demands and decisions taken during execution of one of the country’s most important security projects.
With investigators reportedly examining financial transactions, procurement records, internal reports and communications linked to the project, more revelations could emerge in the coming weeks.
For now, the CCTV contract scandal continues to widen, drawing in more officials, more allegations and more questions about what really happened behind one of Uganda’s biggest security technology projects.
Have you heard about another scandal involving a multibillion procurement of about 20 cars? How about another scandal involving supply of cars to DRC?
Watch this space!
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