By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante
In Bushenyi–
Eleven clerks of Igara Growers Tea Factory in Bushenyi district have been suspended over allegations of stealing tea leaves from farmers’ fields.
According to the Group manager Igara Tea Factory;Onesmus Matsiko, the clerks who are now in police custody at Mitooma police station were arrested on Sunday after one of the tea farmers; Willis Bashasha raised his complaint following the theft of his tea leaves.
Matsiko says the clerks including Nelson Nkwasiibwe are alleged to have been eluding with Gordon Tumwebaze; the tea estates manager of Mr.Willis Bashasha to steal tea leaves and give them to fake farmers for the whole of last year. Gordon Tumwebaze is currently detained at Mitooma police station.
He says since the suspects are in police custody the factory is now waiting to decide their fate.
Willis Bashasha confirmed to the www.mknewslink.com that for the whole of last year he lost tealeaves worth over 50 million shillings to fake farmers.
He revealed that the factory clerks conniving with his manager stole his tea leaves and gave them to fake farmers including Rashid Kidu,Zadock Mpaka ,Adolf Kisembo and two others identified only as Loyce who are on the run.
The Igara Growers Tea factory group manager; Onesmus Matsiko is appealing to farmers owning big tea estates who don’t manage to be present at their respective collection centres, to report to the factory in case they suspect theft of their tea leaves.
Police spokesperson for greater Bushenyi;SP Martial Tumusiime has confirmed the incident and said police investigations are ongoing after which the suspects will be taken to court for trial.
Source: www.mknewslink.com;a western Uganda news website.
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