The National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson for Amolatar District, Kamilo Olwit, has been arrested and detained by police over allegations of mismanaging funds meant to facilitate the party’s Local Council I (LC1) flag bearer and women councillors’ primary elections.
Olwit, a resident of Inomo Cell in Amolatar Town Council, was taken into custody on Tuesday following complaints from some party members who alleged that they received only Shs50,000 instead of the Shs100,000 allocated to each village to support the election activities.
The funds were part of the NRM’s election facilitation programme intended to support the conduct of LC1 flag bearer and women councillors’ elections across the district’s 16 sub-counties.
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the arrest, saying police had opened General Enquiry File (GEF) No. 038/2026 to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged misuse of the funds.
Okema said preliminary investigations indicate that the NRM released the money countrywide alongside guidelines detailing how the funds were supposed to be managed.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the NRM released the funds countrywide and issued a circular outlining how the money was to be utilised,” Okema said.
He added that investigators are now working to determine whether the funds were distributed according to the party’s directives.
Police have since recorded statements from several NRM members who claim they received less than the approved amount, while additional complainants are expected to appear before investigators.
Olwit remains detained at Amolatar Central Police Station as inquiries continue. Police said the file will be forwarded to the Resident State Attorney for legal advice after completion of investigations.
Okema cautioned leaders entrusted with organisational resources to uphold accountability and ensure that funds are used for their intended purposes.
Meanwhile, the NRM Director of External Affairs, Major (Rtd) Awich Pollar, condemned the alleged diversion of party funds, saying similar concerns had been raised by grassroots members in different areas.
Awich warned party officials handling election facilitation funds to follow established guidelines, noting that those found responsible for misusing the money would face disciplinary and legal action.
The arrest comes as the NRM conducts village-level party elections aimed at strengthening its grassroots structures and preparing its leadership networks ahead of future electoral activities.
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