By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
Six officials from the Office of the Prime minister (OPM), have been arrested and are currently freezing behind bars for allegedly forcing asylum seekers to pay them between 5000- 10000 USD for refugee status.
Among the arrested include; Patrick Okello (Commissioner for Refugee Management), Douglas Asiimwe (Assistant Commissioner for Refugee Management), Geoffrey Mugabe (Senior Settlement Commandant), Noel Ekwap (Head of Information Technology), Henry Bweme (Registration Officer) and Arnold Nadiope (Refugee Status Interviewing).
The Pakistani national, a one, Mr. Zafar Ahamad was also arrested for allegedly being a link between OPM officials and refugees, playing a central role in coordinating transactions that were believed to have formed part of the extortion scheme.
The arrest was conducted on June 4, 2026, in unexpected raid on the department’s offices.
The arrest was executed by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), targeting officials attached to the Department of Refugees under the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees.
The premises in department of refugees were sealed off as investigators conducted thorough search that lasted for several hours.
During the operation, authorities seized mobile phones from senior staff, along with 12 laptops and a cache of sensitive documents believed to contain critical evidence linking the suspects to the scheme.
It’s reported that some of the victims included individuals fleeing instability in countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Syria, Burundi, and Rwanda. However, instead of according them protection based on humanitarian need, applicants were allegedly compelled to pay huge bribes to secure refugee status.
The office of the IGG confirmed the arrest revealing that investigations are ongoing, with digital forensic experts analyzing the seized electronic devices and communication records.
The suspects are expected to assist investigators as inquiries into the alleged extortion network continue.
