Matthias Musime, a driver attached to the Ministry of Health, is in trouble after being accused of stealing a government vehicle belonging to another ministry.
Musime, apprehended last Thursday following a police operation based on intelligence, faces charges of theft of government property and is set to appear in court today.
According to Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Police Spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan, the incident revolves around a car taken from the Kololo Independence Grounds for inspection and maintenance during the NAM and G77 Summits held in January 2024. During these events, approximately 800 vehicles, including ambulances, pick-up trucks, and buses, were utilized to transport delegates.
Owoyesigyire elaborated that after the conclusion of the summits, it was discovered that a car registered as UG0053N and belonging to the Ministry of ICT had gone missing from its designated parking spot, prompting a police investigation. Subsequent inquiries led to the arrest of Musime on March 21, 2024.
Musime remains in police custody pending his appearance in court today for prosecution. The theft has been highlighted as a negative aspect of the events surrounding the summits.
On a positive note, President Yoweri Museveni’s assumption of the chairmanship of both G77 plus China and NAM positions Uganda as a key player in global dialogues. This leadership role provides an opportunity for Uganda to address pressing issues affecting the developing world and influence policies and decisions for its benefit and that of the broader Global South.
Uganda’s participation in these summits also offers strategic avenues for advocating policies aligned with its national interests, including poverty eradication, climate change action, and digital collaboration, thereby fostering economic opportunities.
Furthermore, these summits facilitate discussions on combating global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and transnational organized crime, aligning with Uganda’s internal efforts in these areas and providing a platform for collective approaches to finding solutions.