Police in Mbale have arrested the Town Clerk of Mbale City, Assy Abirebe Tumwesigire, Industrial Division Town Clerk Godfrey Mugisa, and the Mbale Central Market Master identified as Ojambo. The arrests followed a public meeting with aggrieved market vendors and a directive by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara. The minister ordered the arrest and interdiction of the officials over alleged mismanagement of market funds, irregular allocation of stalls, double taxation and massive revenue leakages at Mbale Central Market. Traders accused the officials of collaborating with illegal “landlords” who sublet government lock-ups and stalls at high rates of up to Shs130,000 per month. They also complained of double taxation through illegal loading and unloading fees, uncollected garbage, broken plumbing, sewage overflows, lack of backup electricity and rising insecurity. Police officers led by the Mbale Regional Police Commander whisked the suspects away amid cheers from vendors. Mugisa was rescued from an angry mob before being taken into custody. The arrests form part of the ongoing anti-corruption inspections being conducted by Minister Barugahara across local governments. Further investigations are expected to establish the full extent of the alleged irregularities. King Musah Media will continue following the case.