The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has arrested six officials attached to the Department of Refugees under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) over allegations that they solicited money from asylum seekers in exchange for refugee status.
Among those arrested are Commissioner Patrick Okello and Assistant Commissioner Douglas Asiimwe, according to sources familiar with the ongoing operation.
The arrests follow mounting complaints from refugee communities and concerns raised by some humanitarian partners regarding alleged corruption, extortion and irregularities within Uganda's refugee registration and management system.
Sources indicate that the IGG operation is part of a wider investigation into claims that certain officials responsible for refugee registration and status determination demanded payments from asylum seekers seeking recognition and access to protection services.
Some asylum seekers have reportedly complained about restrictive documentation requirements during the registration process, including requests for documents such as passports from individuals fleeing conflict, persecution and insecurity in their home countries.
Concerns have also been raised over the handling of asylum applications involving individuals from countries including Somalia, Pakistan, Iran and Syria, particularly in cases where applicants sought refugee protection after their visas had expired.
The arrests mark one of the most significant anti-corruption actions targeting Uganda's refugee management structures in recent years.
The Department of Refugees plays a critical role in registering asylum seekers, determining refugee status and coordinating support services with humanitarian agencies operating across the country.
By publication time, the Inspectorate of Government had not issued an official statement detailing the arrests, the specific allegations under investigation or the charges that may be preferred against the suspects.
Uganda hosts one of Africa's largest refugee populations, with more than 1.8 million refugees and asylum seekers, according to recent figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The country has earned international recognition for its progressive refugee policy, which allows refugees freedom of movement, access to employment and the right to own or cultivate land in designated settlements.
However, the latest allegations are likely to intensify scrutiny of the systems responsible for refugee registration and protection.
Human rights advocates and aid agencies have previously warned that corruption within refugee administration can undermine access to protection for vulnerable people fleeing war, persecution and humanitarian crises.
The arrests come at a time when Uganda continues to receive refugees from conflict-affected regions across East Africa, the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, placing sustained pressure on refugee management institutions and humanitarian resources.
As investigations continue, attention is expected to focus on whether the alleged practices were isolated incidents involving individual officials or indicative of broader systemic weaknesses within the refugee registration process.