KAMPALA – The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has arrested six officials from the Office of the Prime Minister’s (OPM) Department of Refugees over allegations of soliciting money from asylum seekers in exchange for refugee status.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The list of arrested officials includes two of the most senior figures at the Office of the Prime Minister: Commissioner Patrick Okello and Assistant Commissioner Douglas Asiimwe, who are among those currently in custody.
The other suspects have been identified as Mugabe Geoffrey, Ekwap Noel, Bweme Henry, and Nadiope Arnold, along with a Pakistani national, Zafar Ahmad. They were all targeted in an operation by the anti-corruption watchdog.
According to the IGG, the arrests follow a search operation and mounting complaints from refugee communities and humanitarian partners.
The complaints point to widespread corruption, extortion, and irregularities within Uganda’s refugee registration and management system.
Sources say the suspects demanded payments from asylum seekers during the status determination process, which grants access to protection, shelter, and aid.
Investigators also heard that officials demanded passports from asylum seekers fleeing conflict, a requirement human rights groups have called unrealistic and unlawful.
The investigation also focused on the handling of asylum applications from countries including Somalia, Pakistan, Iran, and Syria, especially in cases where applicants sought refugee protection after their visas had expired.
The arrests mark one of the most significant anti-corruption actions targeting Uganda’s refugee management structures in recent years.
The Department of Refugees plays a critical role in registering asylum seekers and coordinating support services with humanitarian agencies across the country.
Uganda hosts one of Africa’s largest refugee populations, with more than 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers, according to recent figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
If you have a developing story, tip-off, or eyewitness account, reach out to our editorial team today.
📧 Email: westernpearlmedia@gmail.com
📞 Telephone / WhatsApp: +256 783 650 398
Let’s tell your story together—because every voice deserves to be heard.
About the Author
