By KT Reporter
Alleged mismanagement of more than UGX 140 million in NRM campaign mobilization funds has led to the arrest of Arua City NRM Administrator James Emvi. The arrest was ordered on Monday evening by the NRM Director for Finance, Hajjat Madina Ojale Naham, after Emvi failed to account for money reportedly meant to facilitate the transportation of vulnerable voters during the January 15th, 2026, Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
According to party officials, UGX 300,000 was allocated to each of the 457 cells in Arua City to support voter transportation; however, over UGX 140 million remains unaccounted for. During a second accountability meeting held at the City Land Offices and attended by Boda Boda leaders, NRM division chairpersons, City Executive Committee members, and security officials, Hajjat Madina tasked Emvi—who is also a signatory to the City NRM accounts—to explain the whereabouts of the funds.
After a heated exchange lasting over 30 minutes, Madina directed security officers to escort Emvi to his home to retrieve accountability documents, as he claimed registrars had signed for the funds. However, while inside the vehicle, Emvi reportedly admitted to the CIID officer that no accountability documents existed. Madina immediately ordered his arrest and detention at Arua Central Police Station on allegations of mismanagement and failure to account for the funds.
This marks the second time Emvi has faced arrest over the same issue. Three weeks earlier, angry Boda Boda members reportedly detained him at his home for two days, demanding payment for voter transportation services before he was released on bond pending investigations. In her directive, Hajjat Madina also expressed disappointment over the absence of Arua City NRM Chairperson Zoe Bakoko Bakoru, who failed to attend the accountability meeting in person. Madina said Bakoko’s absence and the undocumented explanations given via phone raised further concerns requiring investigation.
NRM division chairpersons for Ayivu and Central, together with the Registrar and Treasurer, informed the Finance Director that they were unaware of withdrawals made by Bakoko and Emvi on January 4 and 13 totaling over UGX 200 million until a week after the elections. Responding to earlier accusations by Boda Boda members that she had sided with Bakoko, Arua Resident City Commissioner Betty Otekat asked for forgiveness, clarifying her role in the matter.
Swadik Amaku, Chairperson of the Arua City Boda Boda Association, urged Hajjat Madina to ensure that the mismanaged funds are recovered and paid to members who transported voters but never received compensation.
Ayivu West MP-elect Phiona Onzima also expressed dismay over the alleged mismanagement, stating that she personally contributed funds to facilitate transportation for vulnerable voters during the elections.
Madina confirmed that a case of theft has been registered against James Emvi and called on Boda Boda members to provide additional information to support prosecution and recovery of the funds.
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