In a major anti-corruption operation, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) 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 allegations of extortion in Uganda’s refugee registration process.
The other suspects are Mr. Asiimwe Douglas, Assistant Commissioner for Refugee Management; Mr. Mugabe Geoffrey, Senior Settlement Commandant; Mr. Ekwap Noel, Head of Information Technology; Mr. Bweme Henry, Registration Officer; Mr. Nadiope Arnold, Refugee Status Interviewing Officer; and Mr. Zafar Ahmad, a Pakistani national.
According to preliminary investigations, Mr. Zafar Ahmad allegedly acted as an intermediary between OPM officials and refugees, coordinating transactions believed to have been part of a wider extortion network.
The arrests followed a search operation conducted by IGG investigators, during which several documents considered critical to the ongoing investigations were recovered.
All the suspects have since recorded statements at the Inspectorate of Government offices and are expected to assist investigators as inquiries into the alleged scheme continue.
The operation underscores the government’s continued commitment to combating corruption and promoting accountability, transparency, and integrity in public service delivery.
