Updated by HICGI News Agency at 1146 EAT on Friday 5 June 2026

KAMPALA, June 4, 2026 — The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has arrested two senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) over allegations that they solicited bribes from asylum seekers seeking refugee status in Uganda.

The suspects, Commissioner Patrick Okello and Assistant Commissioner Douglas Asiimwe, both attached to the Department of Refugees, were taken into custody as part of an ongoing anti-corruption investigation into the country’s refugee registration and status determination process.

According to investigators, the arrests follow a series of complaints from refugee communities, humanitarian agencies and civil society organisations alleging corruption, extortion and abuse of office within sections of the refugee management system.

The officials are accused of demanding illegal payments from asylum seekers in exchange for facilitating or expediting refugee status approvals.

Investigators further allege that some applicants fleeing conflict and persecution were required to provide official travel documents, including passports, as a condition for processing their applications, despite the fact that many displaced persons often arrive without formal identification due to the circumstances of their flight.

The probe has reportedly focused on asylum applications involving individuals from countries including Somalia, Pakistan, Iran and Syria, particularly those whose visas had expired while awaiting decisions on their refugee claims.

Humanitarian organisations have long warned that corruption and administrative barriers within asylum systems can leave vulnerable populations exposed to exploitation and undermine trust in refugee protection mechanisms.

Uganda hosts more than 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it one of Africa’s largest refugee-hosting nations. The country has earned international recognition for its progressive refugee policies, which grant refugees access to employment, education and freedom of movement.

However, recurring allegations of corruption within parts of the refugee management framework have continued to raise concerns among development partners and rights advocates about accountability and oversight.

The IGG said investigations are ongoing and indicated that additional suspects could be implicated as the inquiry expands.
Authorities are expected to provide further details on the case in the coming days.

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