Three people have been arrested and charged in Otuke District over a major cattle compensation fraud that has shocked the community. The suspects — Obua Denith, Okeng Joel, and Ayo Jonan — were brought before the Magistrates Court in Otuke this morning. They now face serious charges, including theft and unlawful possession of National Identity Cards that belong to other people. The court has remanded them until July 22, 2025, as investigations continue.
According to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working together with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the suspects targeted elderly people during the cattle compensation registration and bank account opening process. These elderly individuals were meant to receive government money as compensation for cattle lost in past conflicts. However, the suspects tricked them into giving away their bank details.
Instead of helping, the suspects secretly took over the victims’ accounts. They kept the victims in the dark by hiding or withholding their bank information, making it impossible for them to access their money. In doing so, the fraudsters stole over 500 million Uganda Shillings (UGX) that was meant for the elderly victims.
This shocking scheme has raised serious concerns about how compensation programs are managed and how vulnerable people are protected. Authorities say more suspects are still on the run, and investigations are still ongoing. Officials have vowed to catch everyone involved and return the stolen money to the rightful owners.
The public is being urged to be careful when handling personal documents, especially National IDs and bank information, and to report any suspicious behavior to the authorities.
