Dokolo, Uganda | A coordinated security operation in Dokolo District has led to the arrest of a primary school teacher accused of operating an elaborate scheme that allegedly targeted pensioners across the Lango sub-region by promising to fast-track their retirement benefits.
The suspect, Kenneth Adilo, a teacher at Atelelo Primary School in Alebtong District, was intercepted on Tuesday outside DFCU Bank in Dokolo Town after security received information that he was waiting to collect money from an elderly retired teacher.
Resident District Commissioner Barbara Akech said Adilo, a resident of Bar-Lela Village, Bar-Lela Parish in Bata Sub-county, is suspected of defrauding several pensioners by falsely claiming to have influential contacts within government ministries who could expedite pension and gratuity payments in exchange for cash.
Dokolo District Police Commander Patience Baganzi said investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly introduced himself as someone closely connected to senior officials in the Ministry of Education, convincing victims to pay what he described as “facilitation” fees.
According to Baganzi, the latest operation followed a tip-off from a pensioner who had been instructed to withdraw money and deliver it to the suspect. Security officers mounted surveillance and arrested Adilo as he allegedly waited outside DFCU Bank to receive the cash.
One of the complainants, Lilly Akullu, a retired class teacher from Alebtong District now residing in Dokolo Town Council, said Adilo had been contacting her since 2021, promising to help process her gratuity.
She alleged that he demanded Shs4 million, claiming the money was intended as appreciation for a woman identified as Jane Akello, whom he falsely claimed was a commissioner capable of facilitating the payment.
Another pensioner, Esther Ameri from Otango Cinge Village in Abeja Sub-county, Amolatar District, alleged that she lost Shs3.5 million to the suspect in June 2025 under similar promises of expediting her retirement package.
The reporter also obtained an audio recording in which the suspect is allegedly heard persuading one of the complainants to send the requested money.
When contacted, Jane Akello dismissed the claims, clarifying that she works with the Ministry of Public Service and is not a commissioner as alleged by the suspect.
She distanced herself from the scheme and urged pensioners to seek assistance through official government channels, including Human Resource Officers and Chief Administrative Officers, instead of dealing with self-proclaimed brokers.
Police said investigations are ongoing and appealed to anyone who may have fallen victim to a similar scheme to report to the nearest police station to support the ongoing inquiry.
