By: Our News Reporter

Security and anti-corruption authorities in Pakwach District have arrested seven people, including a Government Internal Security Officer (GISO), an Officer in Charge of a police station, a fisheries officer and a district councillor, over allegations of extorting fishermen and traders in Dei Sub-county.

The suspects were arrested on Monday, September 21, 2026, in an operation led by Pakwach Resident District Commissioner Stephen Nsubuga Bewayo Rwothomio, who chairs the District Anti-Corruption and Integrity Committee, together with the District Internal Security Officer (DISO).

According to information released by the RDC’s office, the operation followed complaints that fishermen and traders operating around the Panyimur area along Lake Albert were allegedly being subjected to illegal payments.

Among those arrested are the GISO for Dei Sub-county, the Officer in Charge of Dei Police Station, a fisheries officer and a male district councillor representing Dei Sub-county. The identities of the other three suspects had not been made public by the time of publication.

The suspects are being held at Pakwach Central Police Station for questioning as investigations continue.

Fishermen at Dei Landing Site have alleged that they are sometimes required to pay as much as Shs20,000 a day to marine police officers before being allowed to access the lake for fishing. The allegations have not yet been independently verified, and it was not immediately clear whether the arrested officers are accused of personally receiving the money.

The District Anti-Corruption and Integrity Committee has urged residents who may have been subjected to extortion or other forms of abuse to report their complaints to the RDC’s office or the DISO’s office in Pakwach.

Authorities have not yet indicated the specific charges that will be preferred against the suspects. They are expected to remain in custody as investigations into the allegations continue.