By Kinyera Anthony Lakomekec
Former Pader district chairperson aspirant and five others were released on police bond on 21st April 2022 following their arrest on allegations of extorting money from locals on Tuesday, 19th April 2022.
The suspects were arrested from the district headquarters following a tip-off from one of the victims who said the crew was collecting money on allegations of registering Acholi war debt claimants.
They were reported to have started their operation in the sub-counties of Acholibur, Angagura, Pukor, and Acholibur town council with their coordinators at all the sub-county levels.
The suspects include; Julius Oleke, a former Pader LC V aspirant who aspired as an independent candidate, Reverend Caeser Olobo, Mathew Oboke, Phillip Okeny, BD Odwar, and Fredrick Opiyo, all were released on police bond after spending two days in Pader central police station cells.
Milton Odongo, the Pader Resident District Commissioner on 19th April 2022 directed the district police commander to arrest the suspects who were reported asking for national identification cards, Ugx. 400,000, which they claim it’s for radio announcement and registration, and bank details.
Odongo added that these groups are factions of the former Noah Opwonya’s group who were paid 5billion on 31st July 2010, embezzled the money, and further warned of the arrest of the alleged coordinators.
However, Galdino Moro Okello, the retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda, and currently heading the compensation team denounced the team collecting money from locals and said the government is the one in charge of payments to the Acholi war debt claimants’ beneficiaries.
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