The National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson for Lukole Sub-county in Agago District has been arrested over allegations of corruption and abuse of office. Ongia Justo allegedly mismanaged funds intended to facilitate grassroots structures during the recently concluded Local Council I (LCI) elections.He was arrested on Thursday evening at Lukole Sub-county headquarters.
According to party officials, Ongia is accused of mismanaging at least 1.4 million shillings released to facilitate NRM structures during the LCI elections, and another 540,000 shillings meant for women village executive committees. He was subsequently handed over to police and is being held at Lukole Police Post under Police Reference SD 07/06/08/2026 on allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
Sam Omony Odong, the Agago District NRM General Secretary, said the party leadership resolved to have Ongia arrested following complaints that he failed to account for 860,000 shillings meant for party mobilization activities during LCI elections.
“We ordered his arrest because corruption is becoming a serious challenge among some leaders. This action is in line with the government’s fight against corruption. Resources meant for the people must reach the intended beneficiaries,” Omony said.
He added that the district leadership has been moving across Agago to resolve complaints against sub-county party leaders and ensure accountability in the management of party resources. Omony said investigations by the district leadership indicated that disagreements over the handling of party funds contributed to poor mobilization during the recently concluded elections, where several NRM flag bearers for LCIII chairperson and District Councilor positions lost to independent candidates.
Among the villages where NRM candidates reportedly lost their LCI races are Dot-Lajwa, Lapirin East, Lalu, Aruna South, Kwila, Lwala Central, Kweyo North, Omok, Wig Weng and Karumu North. Before his arrest, Ongia denied intentionally misusing the funds and blamed the controversy on poor coordination at parish level.
He said many intended beneficiaries failed to complete the documentation required before receiving facilitation, while others abandoned the NRM ticket and contested as independent candidates, making them ineligible for party support.
“When I went to distribute the money, only five people in Wii Kul Parish had completed the required forms. Others picked the forms but never returned them, while some eventually stood as independent candidates. The party does not facilitate independents, so we should not place all the blame on one person,” Ongia said.
He apologized to party members and appealed for unity.
NRM district official Water Ogwang Oketta warned sub-county leaders against withholding or deducting money intended for grassroots party structures, saying when leaders deduct part of the funds, villagers believe the party has abandoned them, yet the money was released.
He urged party officials to uphold integrity, mobilize support for official NRM candidates and ensure that all facilitation reaches flag bearers, election agents and grassroots structures as intended. Oketta also cautioned party members against supporting independent candidates, saying such actions undermine party cohesion and electoral performance.
Police had not yet commented on the matter by press time, and it remained unclear when Ongia would be produced before court-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
