Ugandan Police Officers Face Heat Over Alleged Homophobic Extortion

Police Accused of Extortion and False Charges

In a dramatic twist that could rival any Malibu-style drama, two Ugandan police officers, Asst. Supt. Namutebi Madrine and Asst. Supt. Turyahikayo Alex, are reportedly facing disciplinary action. An internal police probe has unveiled allegations that these officers extorted 3 million Uganda shillings (about $795) from a European consultant in 2025. The catch? They allegedly framed the consultant for violating Uganda's stringent anti-homosexuality law, a move reminiscent of Hollywood's crime plots.

The Larger Scheme Unveiled

This extortion case is just a piece of a much bigger, tangled web. Reports suggest that two lawyers, along with some unnamed security operatives, embezzled a whopping Shs700 million (around $185,000) from the same consultant, 67-year-old Belgian national Schelfhout Joris. The saga, which could easily be a script for a blockbuster, began with a suspicious bank transfer that saw the substantial sum disappear from Joris' account in late 2024.

"Upon inspection of the police records at Muyenga Police Station, it was established that there was no case reported or registered against Schelfhout Joris, and his arrest was not recorded in the station diary or lock-up register," reported Red Pepper, a Ugandan tabloid known for its scandal-centric stories.

Legal Battles and Big Money Games

The money reportedly made its way to an account linked to Kampala lawyer Muhindo Patience Audrey, sparking a criminal investigation that implicated Muhindo and another lawyer, Stuart Kasingye. Both pleaded not guilty to charges of theft and conspiracy to commit a felony when they appeared before the Makindye Magistrate’s Court. Meanwhile, the lawyers allegedly conspired with security operatives to have Joris arrested to strong-arm him into dropping the case.

The Impact and Aftermath

Joris was reportedly arrested at the Drop Bar and Restaurant in Kampala and detained at Muyenga Police Post, where the extortion story unfolded. Instead of facing the legal process, Joris was allegedly forced to pay the hefty sum as "protection money" against a long prison sentence under Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act. The funds were reportedly split between the implicated officers, while Joris was pressured to leave Uganda.

The saga has drawn attention to the practices at Muyenga Police Post, under Kabalagala Police Station, a place marked by controversy over its treatment of LGBTQI+ individuals. Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) reports highlight these locations as notorious for detaining those accused of homosexuality-related offenses.

Consequences for the Officers

With the scandal unfolding, the Uganda Police Professional Standards Unit recommended disciplinary charges for the officers involved. Suggested charges include discreditable or irregular conduct and unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority. The case file has also been recommended for review by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, indicating that legal repercussions could soon follow for the officers in question.