Security operatives on Tuesday arrested Robert Mutungi, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Kalangala District, for allegedly extorting money from aspiring candidates at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretariat in Kampala.
Mutungi was reportedly caught red-handed inside the nomination tent at the party’s headquarters, where he was soliciting bribes from hopefuls with promises of helping them skip long queues during the nomination exercise.
He was immediately apprehended and later paraded before journalists by NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi.
Dr. Odoi condemned the incident, describing it as both shameful and unacceptable.
“This act tarnishes the image of the party and undermines the integrity of the nomination process. We have commenced thorough investigations to establish how he gained access and whether he was working with others,” he stated.
Following his arrest, Mutungi was taken to Wandegeya Police Station for further interrogation.
Authorities are examining whether he had official clearance to be at the venue or was acting entirely on personal motives.
Additional reports suggest that Mutungi was seen over the weekend at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) Mbarara Campus, where he appeared as a guest speaker.
However, UMI sources revealed that his contract as an Associate Consultant in the Department of Government Studies expired in 2022 and has not been renewed since.
Meanwhile, in Kalangala District, where Mutungi officially holds office, local officials expressed shock at the developments.
Some noted that he had not reported for duty since Monday and were unaware of his movements until news of the arrest broke.
One official, who preferred anonymity, said, “We are still trying to understand what he was doing in Kampala during working hours. This is embarrassing for the district.”
The NRM secretariat continues its nomination process ahead of the party’s internal elections.
Dr. Odoi reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring transparency and warned others against engaging in acts of corruption or impersonation.
English 