Hoima Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Rogers Mbabazi has been transferred to a health facility in Kampala after his condition reportedly deteriorated while in police custody following his arrest over allegations of extortion.
Mbabazi was arrested on Saturday by detectives from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) at Kigorobya Muslim Primary School in Kigorobya Sub-county, following complaints from residents during the ongoing Expose the Corrupt Campaign.
According to reports, the RDC was initially detained at Hoima Central Police Station, where he reportedly developed health complications.
He was subsequently taken to EDPA Hospital in Hoima City for medical attention. However, his condition worsened on Monday, prompting doctors to refer him to a health facility in Kampala for further treatment.
Albertine Region Police spokesperson Julius Hakiza confirmed the transfer on Tuesday, saying Mbabazi remained under police guard while receiving medical care.
“The RDC developed an illness while at Hoima Central Police Station. We took him to EDPA Hospital in Hoima City, where he had been admitted, but his condition worsened, and he was referred to a health facility in Kampala for proper management,” Hakiza said.
Hakiza added that investigations into the allegations against the RDC were ongoing.
Extortion allegations
Mbabazi’s arrest followed complaints by residents who accused him of demanding money from people seeking his intervention in land-related disputes.
Some complainants alleged that the RDC demanded between Shs1 million and Shs5 million from individuals seeking assistance with land matters.
Others accused him of working with people allegedly involved in land grabbing to intimidate residents and threaten them with eviction from their ancestral land.
The arrest reportedly followed a directive by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara, who had listened to residents’ complaints.
The allegations emerged during the Expose the Corrupt Campaign, an initiative aimed at giving citizens an opportunity to report suspected corruption and abuse of office by public officials.
The campaign has brought complaints against public officials to the attention of relevant authorities for investigation.
However, the allegations against Mbabazi have not yet been established, and investigations remain ongoing. His arrest does not constitute proof of guilt.
Authorities are expected to continue investigating the claims as the RDC receives medical attention in Kampala.
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