Further arrest made over VSLA machete attack in Katine

A police officer is believed to have been arrested for stealing the official case file related to the attack on the treasurer of a village savings and loans association (VSLA) in Katine last year. Three men - Michael Akoru, Julius Olobo and Charles Okirima - were initially arrested and charged with the machete attack on 63-year-old Mary Kokoi and her daughter, 18-year-old Teddy Amaddo, and the theft of UShs 4.2m (around $2,100) from the Emorikikinos farmers group VSLA in October last year. The men were released following advice from the state attorney, who said there was not enough evidence to proceed with the case. However, it is believed the three men were re-arrested last week, along with a police officer. The file on the case went missing over Easter when most officers were away on holiday. The Guardian is yet to identify the arrested police officer, but it is understood he is related to one of the suspects. The then officer in charge of the criminal investigations department at the Katine police post, Alfred Echimu, who has since been transferred to Soroti central police station, is understood to have returned to Katine last week to re-take statements to build the case against the three men. Soroti district police chief, Fred Nantamu, confirmed the incidents and said his officers were working hard to ensure that Katine residents received justice. Asked about the arrested police officer, Nantamu declined to comment, but said investigations into the matter had commenced. "It is true that the file was stolen. Fortunately we managed to re-arrest the suspects and we are investigating the theft of the file," he said. Pressed to name the officer, the DPC said: "You leave that to police. What is important is that we have re-arrested the suspects." Kokoi received cuts to her head, back and shoulder after she was attacked in her home in Olochoi village. As treasurer of the VSLA, Kokoi had kept the cash in a metal tin in her home. Emorikikinos is one of the 66 farmer groups established through the Katine project . Guardian readers and Barclays are funding the project, which is being implemented by the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref). Kokoi has now stepped down as treasurer of the VSLA, but the group has vowed to continue saving.