BREAKING NEWS!! Senior Police Boss Arrested By CID In Ghost Scandal, See How He Added Names Of Police Officers That Never Existed On Payroll

Uganda’s police force has been rocked by the arrest of Commissioner of Police Elidad Mugume, head of the Human Resources Directorate. The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) took Mugume into custody over allegations that he orchestrated and sustained a network of “ghost officers” — fictitious names on the police payroll used to siphon off public funds.

The arrest follows months of investigation into long-standing corruption within the force. Ghost officers have been a persistent problem, diverting millions of shillings from salaries and operational budgets into private pockets. Mugume, whose position gave him sweeping control over personnel matters, is accused of playing a central role in the scheme.

Sources say the scandal runs deeper than just payroll fraud. According to insiders, Mugume was repeatedly transferred to other government ministries but allegedly paid substantial bribes to reverse those transfers and remain in his influential post.

“This man was transferred three times to leave the police,” one source claimed. “He bribed heavily to stay in the job. Now it’s Luzira that will transfer him.” The remark refers to Uganda’s maximum-security prison, where Mugume could end up if convicted.

The allegations have intensified public concern over corruption in Uganda’s security services. In a country where graft remains a major issue, the case has drawn sharp condemnation from citizens and anti-corruption groups alike. The presence of ghost officers not only drains vital resources but also undermines trust in law enforcement.

Mugume is expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court within hours to face formal charges. If found guilty, he could face lengthy imprisonment and a permanent ban from public service.

Authorities have framed his arrest as part of a broader effort to clean up the force and send a clear message that no rank is beyond the law. Still, many believe that rooting out corruption will require sustained pressure and systemic reform far beyond a single high-profile case.

For now, the nation will be watching the courtroom closely — both to see if justice is done and to gauge whether this marks a turning point in Uganda’s fight against entrenched corruption.