BUTALEJA, Uganda — Former Butaleja District LC5 Chairperson Michael Higenyi Bory has been remanded to Butaleja Government Prison after appearing before the Chief Magistrate’s Court over allegations of collecting millions of shillings from job seekers with promises of securing them employment in the district local government.
Higenyi was arraigned on Thursday following investigations conducted by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit together with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Prosecution alleges that between 2021 and January 2026, while serving as the elected chairperson of Butaleja District, Higenyi used successive local government recruitment exercises to solicit money from several applicants.
The State alleges that he promised the applicants that he could help them obtain jobs in Butaleja District Local Government, despite the promises allegedly being untrue.
According to the case presented before court, the alleged payments amounted to millions of shillings and were made by people hoping to secure positions through the district recruitment process.
The former LC5 chairperson faces a charge of obtaining money by false pretences.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said the court appearance followed investigations into the alleged scheme, which is said to have affected several applicants during different recruitment exercises conducted while Higenyi was in office.
Higenyi, who lost the LC5 seat in the January 2026 elections, was ordered to remain in custody at Butaleja Government Prison until September 1, 2026. He will return to court on that date as the case proceeds.
The allegations have not been tested and proved in court. Higenyi is presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves the case against him beyond reasonable doubt.
The case highlights the risks faced by job seekers who may be targeted by individuals claiming to have influence over public recruitment processes.
