Three women held over duping officials
Red Cross workers register new South Sudanese at Nyumazi Reception Centre in Adjumani District recently. Some Ugandan nationals have reportedly registered as refugees to get relief items meant for the refugees. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO
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A complete settlement package, household items and monthly food distribution are some of the benefits the suspects have reportedly been enjoying.
ADJUMANI- The police in Adjumani District are holding three women for allegedly masquerading as South Sudanese refugees to receive relief items.
According to police, the women and some of their family members, duped officials of refugee agencies into giving them food and other items meant for refugees for the past six months.
A complete settlement package, household items and monthly food distribution are some of the benefits the suspects have reportedly been enjoying.
The Adjumani District Police Commander, Mr Andrew Kaggwa, said the three suspects would be charged with impersonation and trespass.
“I encourage the residents to work hard and practice better ways of earning a living instead of targeting what is meant for the refugees,” Mr Kaggwa said.
On interrogation, the suspects, who were arrested at Boroli Refugee Settlement Camp in Pakele Sub-county during a joint operation, reportedly confessed that they decided to register as refugees due to poverty and begged for forgiveness.
The ongoing verification exercise is aimed at cleaning the refugee data base which officials from Prime Minister’s office and humanitarian agencies suspect has been infiltrated by Ugandan nationals.
