OYAM DISTRICT – March 31, 2026
The Territorial Police in Oyam District have launched investigations into a disturbing case of corruption and obtaining money by false pretense involving a senior local government official.
The suspect, Obangkwon Mark, 55, a Senior Assistant Secretary in the office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Oyam District, is currently in police custody. The suspect, a resident of Agoa cell-Eastern ward in Oyam Town Council, was arrested on March 27, 2026, after allegedly masquerading as the Deputy CAO to extort money from a desperate job seeker.
According to the Police Spokesperson for North Kyoga Region, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the investigation was initiated after the CAO’s office contacted the office of the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) regarding the incident.
The allegations stem from a recent recruitment exercise at the district. Oyam District Local Government had advertised job vacancies (Ref. DSC/OYM/10/26). Among the applicants was one Otyang Ronald, who applied for the position of Education Assistant II.
The trouble began on March 17, 2026, when Ogwal Dick, the brother of the applicant, visited the District Headquarters to follow up on a gratuity application for his late father. While there, he encountered Obangkwon Mark, who introduced himself as the Deputy CAO. The suspect claimed he had the influence to sway the District Service Commission to award the job to Otyang Ronald—provided a payment was made.
“The suspect and the victim exchanged contacts. On March 19, the suspect directed the victim to meet him at his home, demanding an initial payment of UGX 50,000, which was delivered the following day,” SP Okema stated.
Emboldened by the payment, the suspect demanded an additional UGX 2,000,000 to finalize the purported appointment. When the victim pleaded inability to raise the full amount, the suspect reduced the demand to UGX 700,000.
Desperate to secure the job, the victim mortgaged his land to a third party on March 25, managing to raise UGX 600,000. However, when the victim returned to the District Headquarters to deliver the money, he asked to be directed to the CAO’s office, hoping to find the man he believed was the Deputy CAO.
Instead, he met the actual CAO, Mr. Kitutu Fredrick Herbert, who immediately clarified that Obangkwon Mark was not the Deputy CAO, nor did he hold any authority over the District Service Commission.
Realizing the fraud, Mr. Kitutu alerted the DISO and the Police. A trap was set, leading to the arrest of Obangkwon Mark on March 27 while he was red-handed receiving UGX 480,000 from the victim.
A case file has been opened at Oyam Central Police Station (CPS). The crime scene was visited and processed by the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), and statements have been recorded from the victim and relevant witnesses. The cash recovered (UGX 480,000) has been documented as an exhibit. The suspect remains in custody as the file is prepared for submission to the Resident State Attorney (RSA) for perusal and legal guidance.
“We strongly condemn elements of corrupt public officers,” SP Okema warned. “We encourage members of the public to always report such cases to police for arrest and investigation. The public should distance themselves from anyone demanding money in exchange for government jobs, as these are fraudulent acts.”
