Police in Kole district have opened a General Enquiry File No. 016/2026 into alleged irregularities in the disbursement of cattle restocking funds by a group of civil servants.

The irregularities are believed to have occurred between June and July 2026. However, the report was formally registered on September 21, 2026, at 8am.

North Kyoga Regional Police PRO, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, confirmed the arrest of at least 19 junior civil servants in Kole district.

SP Okema identified the suspects as Okello James, parish chief of Akalo town council, Okello Sam, a town agent from Alito; Owera Bonny, Assistant SAS for Aboke sub-county; Okello George, a town agent for Alito; Ongom Moses, Assistant Agricultural Officer under Production.

Others are Oloro Geoffrey; Odia Francis, a clinical officer; and Oyongo Moses, a parish chief at Akalo town council; Adong Janet, Assistant SAS; Ayuru Rebecca, who serves as an enrolled midwife; Opio Sam, a town agent; Enyabo Emmanuel, assistant animal husbandry officer; Odongo Daniel, a town agent at Akalo town council; Odongo Fredrick Bob, an accountant; Ayo Naume Hope, education assistant II.

Another batch of suspects include Abonyo Rebecca from Alito; Ekit Dorcus, a town agent from Alito; Atiti Jenifer Mistica, CDO for Alito; and Oding Bosco, education assistant II.

All are in custody at Kole Central Police Station as investigations continue, according to SP Okema.

Preliminary findings indicate that between June and July 2026, Okello James, Okello Sam, Okwera Bonny, and others, all workers at Kole district local government, received money worth shs5,000,000 each, which was meant for beneficiaries of the cattle restocking programme.

Information was later received through the RDC’s office, and the suspects were arrested accordingly.

A GEF 016/2026 was opened at Kole Central Police Station to investigate the allegations, and over shs5,000,000 has been recovered from one suspect immediately after his arrest.

It was further established that other suspects brought relatives from other districts who received money on their behalf.

Their files shall be compiled and later submitted to the Resident State Attorney for perusal and legal guidance once investigations are complete, SP Okema explained.