Former Butaleja District LC5 chairperson Michael Higenyi Bory was arrested and on Thursday remanded to Butaleja Government Prison after being charged with obtaining money by false pretences.
Mr Higenyi was arrested after he allegedly went to the office of the current district chairperson, Elvis Were. The reasons for his visit were not immediately clear.
He had been wanted by police and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit over allegations that he obtained money from job applicants by falsely promising to secure them employment with Butaleja District Local Government.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), arraigned Mr Higenyi before Butaleja Chief Magistrate Joy Nambozo.
The magistrate read two counts of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 285 of the Penal Code Act. Mr Higenyi denied the charges.
Prosecution told court that investigations were still ongoing and asked for more time to complete inquiries.
According to the State, Mr Higenyi and other suspects still at large allegedly obtained money from two job applicants between 2021 and 2026 after promising to secure them jobs with the district local government.
On the first count, prosecution alleges that between 2021 and January 2026, Mr Higenyi obtained Shs1 million from Makoha Evelyn after promising to secure her a job as an enrolled nurse with Butaleja District Local Government.
The second count alleges that in January 2024, Mr Higenyi and others still at large obtained Shs5.5 million from Kajuri John Michael after allegedly promising to secure him a similar position.
Mr Higenyi is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Ms Nambozo ordered him to remain on remand until September 1, 2026, when court will consider his bail application and mention the case.