By Walter Okello I 21 july 2026
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson for Amolatar District, Kamilo Olwit, has been arrested following allegations that more than Shs30 million meant to facilitate village-level party mobilisation was diverted from its intended purpose.
The arrest was ordered by Amolatar Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Francis Okello Rwotlonyo after residents and village chairpersons reportedly raised complaints that funds allocated to facilitate NRM village barazas had not reached the intended beneficiaries.
According to Rwotlonyo, each village chairperson was expected to receive Shs100,000 to facilitate the mobilisation activities. However, he said some chairpersons received only Shs50,000, while others received Shs60,000, prompting concerns over the whereabouts of the balance.
“We received complaints from wananchi and members of the community that the money was not reaching the villages as planned,” Rwotlonyo said.
The RDC said he summoned Olwit to his office and directed him to ensure that the missing funds were delivered to the respective village chairpersons within two hours.
However, Rwotlonyo alleged that instead of releasing the money to the intended beneficiaries, Olwit convened another meeting with members of the District Executive Committee (DEC), where the funds were allegedly distributed among them.
“He later called me and said my share was Shs4.5 million. I told him to bring it to me,” Rwotlonyo said.
The RDC said that before the money could be delivered, he alerted the District Police Commander (DPC) and District Internal Security Officer (DISO), who moved in and arrested the NRM chairperson.
Security agencies also launched a search for other DEC members who were allegedly involved in receiving portions of the funds.
“The money was meant for village chairpersons to conduct the barazas. We cannot tolerate anyone diverting public or party funds for personal gain,” Rwotlonyo said.
He added that police had recovered money from some of the suspects, which he said would form part of the evidence as investigations continue.
Rwotlonyo said security agencies were working with police and internal security officials to trace other people allegedly involved in the suspected diversion of the money.
He said those implicated would be charged once police complete preliminary investigations.
Despite the incident, the RDC urged NRM candidates and party mobilisers to continue engaging voters at the grassroots, saying the village barazas should proceed as planned.
Rwotlonyo further alleged that the latest incident was not the first time Olwit had faced accusations of mishandling party funds.
He claimed that similar complaints were raised during the previous presidential elections, prompting police to record a statement from the NRM chairperson before the matter was referred to the party leadership for administrative handling.
“This is not the first time such allegations have arisen. There were previous complaints, but the matter was referred to the party secretary for administrative handling,” he said.