In a major anti-corruption operation, Uganda’s Inspectorate of Government (IG) has arrested the Commissioner for Refugee Management at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Mr. Patrick Okello, along with five other officials and a Pakistani national, over alleged extortion during the refugee registration process.
The other officials arrested are Mr. Asiimwe Douglas (Assistant Commissioner, Refugee Management), Mugabe Geoffrey (Senior Settlement Commandant), Ekwap Noel (Head of Information Technology), Bweme Henry (Registration Officer), and Nadiope Arnold (Refugee Status Interviewing Officer).
Also arrested is Mr. Zafar Ahamad, a Pakistani national.
The suspects are expected to assist investigators as inquiries continue into an alleged extortion network. According to preliminary investigations, Mr. Zafar Ahmad is accused of acting as a link between OPM officials and refugees, coordinating transactions believed to be part of the extortion scheme.
The arrests followed a search operation by IG investigators, during which documents were retrieved to support the investigation. The suspects have since recorded statements at IG offices.
The IG says the operation underscores the government’s continued efforts to combat corruption and uphold integrity in public service delivery.
