Police in Hoima City are holding the Hoima LCV Vice Chairperson, Hellen Mulumba, over allegations of extorting UGX 16.5 million from a job seeker, in yet another case linked to growing complaints of job-related fraud by local government officials.
Mulumba was arrested on Monday evening within Hoima City and immediately taken to Hoima City Central Police Station, according to police sources.
Investigations indicate that she allegedly received the money from a youth seeking employment in the district, promising to help secure a job.
However, after no job materialized, the complainant reported the matter to the police.
The victim’s identity has been withheld to protect ongoing investigations.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest and said inquiries are ongoing.
He added that several other officials and politicians in the district are under investigation for similar extortion-related allegations involving job seekers.
The Hoima region has, in recent months, recorded a surge in complaints of officials allegedly demanding money from applicants in exchange for promised employment opportunities—promises that are often not fulfilled.
The situation has triggered public concern and calls for stronger government intervention to curb corruption in recruitment processes.
The case is the latest in a series of similar incidents in the region.
In July 2024, Vincent Alpha Opio, the Kikuube LCV Vice Chairperson, was arrested over allegations of extorting UGX 1.5 million from a job applicant while promising to secure employment.
Opio was accused of demanding money from an applicant identified as Derick Musabiire for a district job, but failed to deliver on the promise, prompting a police complaint.
In 2022, several officials in Kikuube District were also investigated over alleged extortion and corruption linked to recruitment, where hundreds of job seekers reportedly lost money after being promised positions that never materialized.
Reports indicate that applicants were commonly asked to pay between UGX 500,000 and UGX 1,000,000 to secure jobs in various district departments, with many later discovering they had been left off official shortlists despite payments.
HOIMA VICE CHAIRPERSON ARRESTED OVER EXTORTION
