Police in Hoima City are holding the Hoima District LCV Vice Chairperson, Hellen Mulumba, over allegations of extorting UGX 16.5 million from a job seeker in a suspected employment fraud scheme.
Mulumba was arrested on Monday evening within Hoima City and taken to Hoima City Central Police Station, according to police sources.
Investigations indicate that she allegedly received money from a youth seeking employment in the district, promising to help secure a job opportunity. However, after no job was provided, the complainant reported the matter to police.
The identity of the victim has been withheld as investigations continue.
Julius Hakiza confirmed the arrest and said inquiries are ongoing. He added that several other officials and politicians in Hoima District are also under investigation over similar allegations of extorting money from job seekers.
Police say the Albertine region has recently experienced a rise in complaints involving officials allegedly demanding money from applicants in exchange for promised jobs, many of which never materialize.
The situation has sparked public concern and renewed calls for tighter government oversight of recruitment processes within local governments.
The case adds to a growing list of similar incidents in the region. In July 2024, Vincent Alpha Opio was arrested over allegations of extorting UGX 1.5 million from a job applicant, while in 2022 several officials in Kikuube District were also investigated over recruitment-related corruption.
Reports suggest that job seekers are often asked to pay between UGX 500,000 and UGX 1,000,000 in exchange for promised employment in district departments, only to later discover they were not included on official recruitment lists.
