Full List: Senior Gov’t Officials Arrested For Fetching Millions From Asylum Seekers

The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has arrested six senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption in Uganda’s refugee management system.

The officials are accused of soliciting large sums of money from asylum seekers in exchange for facilitating the approval of their refugee status applications.

Among those arrested are Commissioner Patrick Okello and Assistant Commissioner Douglas Asiimwe, both serving in the Department of Refugees. Authorities believe the two were part of a wider network that allegedly extorted money from vulnerable individuals seeking protection in Uganda.

According to investigators, asylum seekers were reportedly asked to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 to secure favorable decisions on their applications. The alleged scheme is said to have targeted people fleeing conflict, persecution, and insecurity in their home countries.

The arrests followed a Thursday operation by IGG investigators, who raided offices within the Department of Refugees at the Office of the Prime Minister. During the operation, investigators reportedly recovered 12 laptops, several mobile phones, and a number of documents believed to be relevant to the inquiry.

The offices remained under seal for several hours as investigators examined records and electronic devices in an effort to establish the scale of the suspected corruption network.

The other officials taken into custody were identified as Geoffrey Mugabe, a Senior Settlement Commandant; Noel Ekwap, Head of Information Technology; Henry Bweme, a Registration Officer; and Arnold Nadiope, a Refugee Status Interviewing Officer.

Sources familiar with the investigation said the probe was triggered by a series of whistleblower reports alleging that some officials were bypassing established refugee status determination procedures and demanding payments from applicants seeking refugee recognition.

The suspects were later taken in for questioning as investigations continued.

The Inspectorate of Government has not yet confirmed whether formal charges have been filed against the six officials. However, authorities say investigations are ongoing and more details will be released as the inquiry progresses.

The arrests mark one of the most significant anti-corruption operations targeting officials within Uganda’s refugee administration system in recent years, as authorities move to strengthen accountability and protect the integrity of refugee services.