KYANKWANZI, UGANDA (Date) – In a significant crackdown on public sector corruption, Mr. Nabuguuzi Isaac, the District Registration Officer for the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in Kyankwanzi District, was today arraigned before the Kyankwanzi Magistrate's Court and remanded until August 17, 2025, on charges of demanding money by menaces.
The arrest and prosecution are the result of a collaborative investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit,the Criminal Investigations Directorate ,and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
According to the charge sheet and investigative details presented to the court, Mr. Nabuguuzi allegedly exploited his position of authority over newly recruited Registration Assistants between June and July 2025. It is claimed he used threats of termination to coerce the vulnerable new employees into handing over substantial portions of their first salaries.
Prosecutors allege that Nabuguuzi demanded sums ranging from UGX 300,000 to UGX 500,000 from each of over 50 affected Registration Assistants. The money was reportedly collected both in cash and via mobile money transfers shortly after the recruits received their inaugural June salaries.
Rather than presenting the demands as outright extortion, Nabuguuzi allegedly framed the payments as a mandatory "token of appreciation" for his purported role in helping the individuals secure their positions with NIRA. This guise, however, was backed by the implicit threat of job loss for non-compliance.
Following the compilation of evidence, Nabuguuzi was arrested and swiftly brought before the Kyankwanzi Magistrate's Court. Prosecutors successfully applied for his remand, citing the need for further investigations and the seriousness of the charges. The Chief Magistrate granted the application, ordering Nabuguuzi to remain in custody until his next court appearance on August 17, 2025.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by Ugandan anti-corruption agencies to target officials who abuse their positions for personal gain, particularly those preying on vulnerable citizens like new employees. The arrest and remand of a district-level head of a critical agency like NIRA sends a strong message about the commitment to tackling graft at various levels of public service.
The collaborative action by Anti corruption unit state house,CID and DPP underscores a coordinated approach to investigating and prosecuting corruption cases. Investigations into the full extent of the alleged extortion scheme are understood to be continuing.
