OPM Officials Arrested Over $10,000 Bribes in Refugee Status Scam
A multimillion-shilling bribery scheme in which desperate asylum seekers were allegedly forced to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 for refugee status has led to the arrest of six senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The arrests, carried out by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), target officials attached to the Department of […] The post OPM Officials Arrested Over $10,000 Bribes in Refugee Status Scam appeared first on Daily Star.
Black News 
A multimillion-shilling bribery scheme in which desperate asylum seekers were allegedly forced to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 for refugee status has led to the arrest of six senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
The arrests, carried out by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), target officials attached to the Department of Refugees under the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees.
Investigators describe the operation as a deeply entrenched corruption racket that turned the refugee application process into a lucrative pay-to-play system.
Those arrested include Okello Patrick, Commissioner for Refugee Management; Asiimwe Douglas, Assistant Commissioner for Refugee Management; Mugabe Geoffrey, Senior Settlement Commandant; Ekwap Noel, Head of Information Technology; Bweme Henry, Registration Officer; and Nadiope Arnold, Refugee Status Interviewing .
The arrest happened today in surprise raid on the department’s offices.
The premises were immediately sealed off as investigators carried out an extensive search that lasted 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.
Victims reportedly include individuals fleeing instability in countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Syria, Burundi, and Rwanda. Instead of receiving protection based on humanitarian need, applicants were allegedly compelled to pay hefty bribes to secure refugee status.
The IGG has confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with digital forensic experts analyzing the seized electronic devices and communication records.
Developing story
The post OPM Officials Arrested Over $10,000 Bribes in Refugee Status Scam appeared first on Daily Star.
