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Amuru RDC orders arrest of eight over alleged cattle restocking fraud
The suspects are Geoffrey Akena, the parish chief of Parubanga; David Okema, the local council 1 chairperson of Abera village; Black Atube, the NRM chairperson for Pabbo subcounty; Felix Rubangakene; Kalina Angee; Godfrey Ojok; Miriam Aber; and Joseph Obita.
The resident district commissioner (RDC) of Amuru district, Geoffrey Orsbon Oceng, has ordered the immediate arrest of a parish chief and seven other individuals accused of fraudulently receiving funds under the government’s livestock restocking programme. (Courtesy photo)
By: Christopher Nyeko, Journalist @New Vision
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The resident district commissioner (RDC) of Amuru district, Geoffrey Orsbon Oceng, has ordered the immediate arrest of a parish chief and seven other individuals accused of fraudulently receiving funds under the government’s livestock restocking programme in Parubanga parish, Pabbo sub-county.
The suspects are Geoffrey Akena, the parish chief of Parubanga; David Okema, the local council 1 chairperson of Abera village; Black Atube, the NRM chairperson for Pabbo subcounty; Felix Rubangakene; Kalina Angee; Godfrey Ojok; Miriam Aber; and Joseph Obita.
According to preliminary findings, Akena allegedly removed names of selected beneficiaries from the programme and replaced them with those of the suspects in order to facilitate fraudulent payments.
Investigations indicate that out of the 11 beneficiaries originally approved to receive the funds, only three, Genesis Odong, Richard Oyet and Richard Komakech, reportedly received the grants legitimately.
The remaining beneficiaries, identified as Innocent Bedogwa Akena, Margaret Amal, Catherine Lalam, Margaret Aciro, Janet Akumu, Wilberforce Otuceekene, Santina Adee, Simon Okwera and Geoffrey Owor, were allegedly replaced before payments were processed.
While addressing residents during an investigation meeting in Parubanga Parish on June 21, 2026, Oceng ordered the arrest of the suspects after what he described as evidence of unlawful receipt of government funds.
He warned that corruption and abuse of programmes intended to uplift vulnerable households would not be tolerated, emphasising government’s commitment to accountability and effective service delivery.
Oceng further directed that all individuals who allegedly received the money fraudulently refund the funds and instructed police to ensure the suspects are arrested within three days. Each beneficiary under the programme received sh5 million, bringing the disputed amount in the case to sh40 million.
Amuru LC5 chairperson Christopher Odongkara said district authorities are determined to identify and remove all individuals who may have benefited from the programme without being duly selected during the first phase of implementation.
The remaining beneficiaries, identified as Innocent Bedogwa Akena, Margaret Amal, Catherine Lalam, Margaret Aciro, Janet Akumu, Wilberforce Otuceekene, Santina Adee, Simon Okwera and Geoffrey Owor, were allegedly replaced before payments were processed.
While addressing residents during an investigation meeting in Parubanga Parish on June 21, 2026, Oceng ordered the arrest of the suspects after what he described as evidence of unlawful receipt of government funds.
He warned that corruption and abuse of programmes intended to uplift vulnerable households would not be tolerated, emphasising government’s commitment to accountability and effective service delivery.
Oceng further directed that all individuals who allegedly received the money fraudulently refund the funds and instructed police to ensure the suspects are arrested within three days. Each beneficiary under the programme received sh5 million, bringing the disputed amount in the case to sh40 million.
Amuru LC5 chairperson Christopher Odongkara said district authorities are determined to identify and remove all individuals who may have benefited from the programme without being duly selected during the first phase of implementation.
Meanwhile, David Olaacon, the officer-in-charge of Pabbo Town Council Police Station, assured district leaders that police would act on the RDC’s directive and carry out the arrests within the specified timeframe.
According to the district security committee, 618 out of the targeted 638 beneficiaries had received funds as of Sunday.
However, concerns have emerged that some recipients may not have been rightful beneficiaries.
The livestock restocking programme, implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister, provides cash grants of sh5 million to vulnerable households, equivalent to the value of five cows.
The initiative targets communities in the Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions and prioritises the elderly, former abductees, female-headed households, unemployed youth, persons with disabilities, widows and widowers.
The programme is part of government’s sh80 billion cattle restocking initiative aimed at rebuilding livestock assets and improving household incomes in northern and eastern Uganda.
According to implementation updates from the Office of the Prime Minister, government plans to reach 16,000 households before the end of the 2025/2026 financial year through a digital payment system.
Police investigations into the alleged fraud are ongoing. No arrests had been reported by press time.
According to the district security committee, 618 out of the targeted 638 beneficiaries had received funds as of Sunday.
However, concerns have emerged that some recipients may not have been rightful beneficiaries.
The livestock restocking programme, implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister, provides cash grants of sh5 million to vulnerable households, equivalent to the value of five cows.
The initiative targets communities in the Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions and prioritises the elderly, former abductees, female-headed households, unemployed youth, persons with disabilities, widows and widowers.
The programme is part of government’s sh80 billion cattle restocking initiative aimed at rebuilding livestock assets and improving household incomes in northern and eastern Uganda.
According to implementation updates from the Office of the Prime Minister, government plans to reach 16,000 households before the end of the 2025/2026 financial year through a digital payment system.
Police investigations into the alleged fraud are ongoing. No arrests had been reported by press time.