Rebel leader Kony uncle defrauds NRM secretariat of sh20m

GULU - In a dramatic turn of events, Gulu city Police say they have apprehended Thomas Otim Labbejja, a man claiming to be the uncle of notorious fugitive and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony.

This arrest stems from accusations that Otim defrauded the National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretariat of a staggering shillings 20 million.

Otim allegedly orchestrated this intricate fraud by claiming that the money was needed to bail out Kony’s sister, Betty Akidi.

He claimed that she had taken out a loan in excess of shillings 14 million using her house in Mukono as collateral, and was on the brink of eviction due to pressure from moneylenders.

Investigations reveal that Otim's deceptive approach started when he contacted  Gulu city Bardege-Layibi division NRM chairperson Jacob Ojok Otobi who is also an uncle to NRM secretary general Richard Todwong.

Otim insisted that Akidi had recently undergone surgery and required shillings two million to pay for her medical bills.

Convinced by Otim’s claims, Otobi conveyed this request to Todwong, leading to the release of shillings three million, of which shillings two million was handed over to Otim.

However, the situation took a turn when Akidi later denied having had any surgery or receiving any funds from Otim.

Undeterred, Otim approached Otobi once again, this time alleging that Akidi had mortgaged her home in Mukono for the loan and was now facing eviction.

To follow up on this renewed request, Otobi helped introduce Otim to the NRM secretariat.

The home that is housing Kony's sister that Otim claimed was about to be taken for loan payment. (Credit: Christopher Nyeko)

The Kampala trip

On January 2, 2026, a trip to Kampala was organised for Otim and Otobi, but in a strange twist, Otim opted not to travel with them.

Otobi proceeded along with Bosco Ocira Lawaino, who is known as Snoop Doggy. Upon arriving in Kampala on January 3, 2026. Otim reportedly reached out directly to Todwong and visited the NRM secretariat alone.

It was there that Otim allegedly collected shillings 20 million in cash, in denominations of 10,000 from a staff member identified as Rose Atim.

When Otobi and Lawaino arrived shortly thereafter, they were stunned to learn that Otim had already received the funds.

Attempting to trace Otim proved futile; his phone was switched off, leading Otobi to contact Kony’s family in Gulu, only to learn they had no knowledge of any alleged loan or property dealings involving Akidi.

On January 7, 2026, Otim presented what he claimed was a loan repayment agreement between Akidi and a moneylender named Hellen Namutebi, stating that shillings 12 million had been repaid and it had been witnessed by elder Laboh Ocamgiu.

However, the document raised suspicions, appearing to be forged and lacking essential details regarding the nature and terms of the loan.

I did not take out any loan

When approached by New Vision Online, Akidi firmly denied having taken any loan against her home, clarifying that she had only a pending 1 million shilling Parish Development Model (PDM) loan along with some minor neighborhood debts.

While she did acknowledge receiving a small sum from Otim, she chose not to reveal the exact amount.

Laboh Ocamgiu confirmed witnessing Otim hand over an unspecified sum to a woman but admitted he was unsure of the exact amount, as the cash was not counted in his presence.

The letter of loan repayment agreement authored by Thomas Otim.

Kony's children

In a curious twist, Otim later told the Police that the funds were intended to cover school fees for Kony’s children accumulated over a staggering 14-year period—a claim that investigators found highly suspicious.

The ordeal came to the attention of law enforcement when Otobi reported the matter to the Police on January 5, 2026, citing suspicions of obtaining money by deception.

Law enforcement authorities subsequently tracked Otim’s movements and, following his return to Gulu on January 7, convinced him to voluntarily report to the Central Police Station, where he provided a statement.

Gulu city Police commander Joseph Karugabe confirmed that Otim surrendered, underwent questioning, and was later released. However, tensions flared at the Police station as Otim denied the allegations, maintaining that he had merely assisted Akidi and Kony’s children.

In response, Kony’s family, led by his eldest son Moses Komkech, vehemently dismissed Otim's claims, asserting that none of Kony’s children reside in Mukono and accusing Otim of repeatedly soliciting funds from government offices without providing any tangible support to the family. 

Over 60 wives and children

A security report has indicated that Kony, the infamous rebel leader, has an astonishing total of 45 wives and 64 children scattered across the Acholi sub-region.

Notably, one of Kony’s children, Francis Obote, passed away in December and was laid to rest in Odek.

In a statement, UPDF Fourth Division Commander Maj. Gen. Felix Busizoori condemned the release of such a significant sum of money to an individual without proper verification and confirmed that investigations into the matter are currently ongoing.

This arrest comes on the heels of northern Uganda state minister Kenneth Omona’s directive for investigations into individuals, community-based organisations and NGOs allegedly extorting money from LRA returnees in the Acholi sub-region.

Numerous returnees have reported being defrauded under false pretences of assistance and scholarship promises.

Both the UPDF and Uganda Police have committed to conducting thorough investigations, pledging that anyone found culpable will face prosecution