Oyam ACAO under police castody Over Alleged Extortion of Job Applicant

31 March 2026, 1:59 pm

By Eman yonah oruk

The Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO) of Oyam District, Mark Obangkwon, is in police custody following his arrest over allegations of extorting money from a job seeker.

Obangkwon reportedly lured a job applicant with promises of securing employment in exchange for UGX 2 million. He later demanded an initial deposit of UGX 600,000, which was later negotiated down to UGX 400,000.

The applicant reported the matter to police, who advised him to photocopy the banknotes as evidence. This led to Obangkwon’s arrest and detention at Oyam Central Police Station (CPS).

Further allegations suggest that Obangkwon obtained contact details of candidates who had recently attended job interviews. He allegedly contacted them, claiming that another recruitment exercise was imminent, and demanded up to UGX 10 million for their names to be considered.

The territorial police in Oyam District have launched investigations into allegations of corruption and obtaining money by false pretence against Obangkwon Mark, aged 55, a senior assistant secretary in the office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Oyam District, and a resident of Agoa Cell–Eastern Ward in Oyam Town Council.

The case was reported after the CAO of Oyam District contacted the office of the DISO over the incident.

It is alleged that Oyam District Local Government advertised job vacancies vide Ref. DSC/OYM/10/26.

One Otyang Ronald applied for recruitment as an Education Assistant II, pending vetting and appointment by the District Service Commission. On 17/03/2026, his brother Ogwal Dick visited Oyam District Headquarters to follow up on gratuity for their late father.

During this visit, Ogwal met Obangkwon, who introduced himself as the Deputy CAO of Oyam and claimed he could influence the District Service Commission to award Ronald the job, but only if money was paid.

On 19/03/2026, Ronald contacted Obangkwon, who directed him to meet at his home in Oyam Upper Centre with UGX 50,000. Ronald complied, and Obangkwon promised to use his position to secure the job.

However, Obangkwon later demanded UGX 2,000,000. Ronald pleaded inability to raise the amount but managed to gather UGX 800,000. The suspect then instructed him to first bring UGX 700,000.

To raise the money, Ronald mortgaged his land to Sarah Awele on 25/03/2026, receiving UGX 600,000, which he intended to hand over at Oyam District Headquarters.

When Ronald asked to meet Obangkwon at the CAO’s office, he instead met Mr. Kitutu Fredrick Herbert, the CAO of Oyam, who clarified that Obangkwon was not the Deputy CAO as he claimed. The CAO immediately contacted the DISO and police.

On 27/03/2026, Obangkwon was arrested red-handed while receiving UGX 480,000 from Ronald. He was detained at Oyam CPS, and investigations commenced.

According to Jimmy Patrick Okema, Police PRO for North Kyoga Region ,A case file has been opened at Oyam CPS and The crime scene was visited, processed, and documented by SOCO and police.

Okema added that the Statements were recorded from the victim and other witnesses and Exhibits of UGX 480,000 were recovered and properly documented, The suspect remains in custody as the file is prepared for submission to the RSA for legal guidance.

Okema emphasized that the police strongly condemn corruption among public officers and urged the public to report such cases instead of giving in to extortion demands.
This is not the first time Obangkwon has faced controversy. In 2024, while serving as Senior Assistant Secretary (SAS) of Acaba Sub-county, some councilors demanded an investigation into him over abuse of office.

In another incident, Obangkwon was arrested and later released on police bond after failing to repay a UGX 1.3 million loan borrowed from the Kony Pacu Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) group.