19 arrested over alleged irregular disbursement of Kole restocking funds

22 September 2026, 11:28 am

By Winnie Auma

Police in Kole District have opened a General Enquiry File to investigate alleged irregularities in the disbursement of cattle-restocking funds.

The case, registered as GEF 016/2026 at Kole Central Police Station on 21 September 2026, is being investigated following allegations that the irregularities occurred between June and July this year.

According to Jimmy Patrick Okema, the police spokesperson, 19 suspects, all currently in custody at Kole Central Police Station, have been arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of the funds.

Okema said preliminary investigations indicate that some employees of Kole District Local Government, including Okello James, Okello Sam, Owera Bonny and others, allegedly received Shs5 million each, which was meant for beneficiaries under the cattle-restocking programme.

He said the matter reportedly came to the attention of authorities through the office of the Resident District Commissioner, leading to the arrest of the suspects. Police have so far recovered Shs5 million from one of the suspects.

Okema said some of the suspects allegedly brought in relatives from other districts to receive the money on their behalf.

The police spokesperson said files involving the suspects will be compiled and submitted to the Resident State Attorney for perusal and legal guidance once investigations are complete.

Police have warned local government officials against interfering with or undermining government programmes, saying anyone found to have been involved in the alleged irregularities will be arrested and taken to court.