The home of former East African Community Affairs State Minister, Julius Maganda, faced a security search over allegations of possessing iron sheets from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The operation, conducted on Friday, January 5, 2023, was supervised by Busia Deputy Resident District Commissioner Grace Kanuna, District Internal Security Officer Piston Musinguzi, and District Police Commander Didas Byaruhanga.
The deployment followed reports that iron sheets from OPM were among the items stolen from Maganda’s farm, where he had reported the theft of various items, including iron sheets, a welding machine, a water pump, 160 chickens, and two rams. The security forces aimed to verify the accuracy of the information circulating about Maganda’s possession of government property.
Upon the search, only 32 ordinary white iron sheets of gauge 32 were discovered in Maganda’s store, challenging the claims of widespread theft. Maganda was provided with a search form to sign, and the deployed police officers were withdrawn from his home. He was also encouraged to officially apply for security if needed.
Maganda, in response, accused his political rivals, particularly Godfrey Odero Were, the incumbent Member of Parliament, of spreading baseless information to damage his reputation. Maganda claimed that there was no evidence supporting the allegation that the iron sheets stolen from his home were stamped with the OPM mark.
Godfrey Odero Were, when contacted, denied any involvement in the accusations and urged Maganda to take responsibility for his situation. Some of Maganda’s supporters, requesting anonymity, alleged that the security had been compromised to conceal the iron sheets at night, highlighting thorough screening procedures during the night of the incident.
