The Arua City National Resistance Movement (NRM) Administrator, James Emvi, has been arrested and detained at Arua Central Police Station (CPS) over alleged embezzlement of UGX 234 million meant for NRM campaign mobilization. Emvi was arrested on Wednesday at about 9:00 a.m. from his home in Urugbo Cell, Ayivu West Division, by a group of more than 50 boda boda riders drawn from Central and Ayivu divisions.
His arrest comes a day after angry NRM supporters and mobilizers—mainly boda boda riders—protested the alleged mismanagement of more than UGX 200 million that had been sent to Arua City to facilitate mobilization for NRM candidates. On Tuesday, the protesters, holding placards condemning corruption within the NRM office and the Resident City Commissioner’s office, gathered at the Mayor’s Gardens before marching to the office of the Arua City Resident City Commissioner, Captain (Rtd) Betty Otekat Akello.
They demanded accountability for the funds, threatening to march to the NRM Secretariat if their concerns were not addressed. According to the mobilizers, each of the 469 cells in Arua City was allocated UGX 500,000 for cell-to-cell mobilization, totaling UGX 234 million. However, the money was never released to the boda boda riders tasked with carrying out the mobilization.
Rashid Nasur Yusuf Kube, the NRM Chairperson for Arua Central Division, says the supporters received intelligence that the NRM Administrator had already received the funds. He explains that this prompted the boda boda riders to trace Emvi to his village, where he was found supervising the construction of a permanent house. Rashid says the NRM members apprehended Emvi and escorted him to Arua CPS, where he was detained. He adds that he and his counterpart from Ayivu Division have recorded statements and are now waiting for other NRM officials to be summoned by the police.
Meanwhile, the Arua CPS Divisional Police Commander, SP Joseph Masereka, confirmed Emvi’s arrest and detention, saying it was largely for his own safety. “It’s true he is in the cells, but we have informed the NRM Secretariat to guide on the way forward, and we expect them to come on the ground and handle this matter,” Masereka said.
Swadik Amaku, the Chairperson of the Arua City Boda Boda Association, says they want all NRM officials implicated in the alleged misuse of the funds to be held accountable and compelled to explain how the money was withdrawn and spent. Reports indicate that Emvi’s arrest has triggered panic among some NRM officials, who are said to be in hiding, including Arua City NRM Chairperson Bakoko Bakoru.
Meanwhile, Arua City Resident City Commissioner Captain (Rtd) Betty Otekat Akello reportedly did not report to her office on Wednesday, a day after protesters accused her of failing to act despite being alerted to the matter weeks earlier. Police have opened a case under general inquiry at Arua CPS vide CRB 038/2026, as investigations continue.
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