OPM Refugee Commissioner charged with abuse of office, remanded

The Commissioner in charge of refugee management in the Office of the Prime Minister, Patrick Okello, has been charged with abuse of office and remanded to Luzira Prison.

Okello, 55, was charged along with Noel Ikwap, 37, an assistant technology officer in the refugee management office.

The two appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court Grade One Magistrate, Esther Asiimwe, today (July 30) and denied the charges before they were remanded.

Under section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, the offence of abuse of office attracts a maximum sentence of seven years, on conviction.

The Inspectorate of Government prosecutor, Mikka Luteete, informed the court that investigations into the matter are still on going and asked the court to adjourn the case to another date fore mention.

“I pray that the matter is adjourned to another date to allow the Police to complete investigations in the matter,” Lutete prayed.

The magistrate subsequently adjourned the case to August 10, for the hearing of the bail application.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that the accused between December 2025 and May 2026 while performing their duties, in abuse of authority of their office, did arbitrary acts when they irregularly reversed the decision of the refugee eligibility committee to grant refugee status to 184 asylum seekers, acts which were prejudicial to the interests of asylum seekers and government of Uganda.

Prosecution further alleges that the accused in the same period rejected instructions of Eng. Hilary Onek, the former Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, to temporarily halt registration of new asylum seekers from Eritrea.

According to prosecution, the accused continued to register the refugees, an act which was prejudicial to the interests of the Government. ENDs................./