Salim Kumakech says his office has received more than 30 complaints from people who allegedly paid up to Shs4.5 million for overseas jobs, while Resty Nanteza denies wrongdoing and vows to sue over the closure of her offices.
Jinja Resident City Commissioner Salim Kumakech has ordered the closure of the Nakapachu Foundation offices in Jinja City over allegations that radio presenter Resty Nanteza, popularly known as Nakapachu, collected money from job seekers seeking employment in Arab countries without securing the promised jobs.
Kumakech said his office had received more than 30 complaints from people in Jinja and neighbouring districts who accused Nakapachu of taking millions of shillings from them but failing to deliver on promises of overseas employment.
The complainants reportedly come from Jinja, Buyende, Mayuge, Namayingo and Bugiri districts, with some claiming they had waited for years without securing the jobs or receiving the necessary travel documents.
“I have received over 30 complaints personally, but I found similar reports against her,” Kumakech said.
When contacted for a comment substantiate the claims that Nakapachu has several complaints against her at Police, Kiira Region Police spokesperson James Mubi directed our reporter back to contact RCC Kumakech, whom he said has all the details.
According to the RCC, many of the complainants were seeking overseas domestic work and allegedly paid money through the Nakapachu Foundation, an initiative associated with the radio presenter.
Kumakech said the amounts varied, with some complainants reporting payments of at least Shs500,000 and others claiming to have paid as much as Shs4.5 million.
“The least amount she requests is Shs500,000, but others claim they have given her Shs4.5 million,” he said.
He added that some complainants claimed to have waited for more than two years for their passports and other travel arrangements.
“Many people are complaining from different districts as far as Buyende, Mayuge, Namayingo, Bugiri and Jinja. We cannot just watch as she uses her popularity on radio to defraud people,” Kumakech said.
Kumakech, who chairs the Jinja City Security Committee, said the closure of the foundation's offices along Gabula Road was intended to protect members of the public as the allegations were addressed.
He also claimed that several case files concerning Nakapachu were at Jinja Central Police Station, accusing some security officers of allowing her to evade accountability.
These claims could not be independently verified from the information available for this report.
“She has several files at CPS Jinja, but unfortunately, she compromises some security officers who allow her to go scot-free. Some of us are big-headed to be compromised,” Kumakech said.
The RCC further alleged that Jinja Mayor Abdulhafidh had previously been among those who lost money in a similar arrangement involving Nanteza.
Kumakech claimed the mayor had deposited about Shs3.5 million to facilitate travel abroad for a relative, but the relative never travelled. He said the money was refunded after the mayor threatened legal action.
The allegation could not be independently verified.
Nakapachu, however, dismissed the closure of her offices as an attempt to frustrate her work and said she intended to sue Kumakech and Jinja City Town Clerk Godfrey Kisseka in their personal capacities.
“I have decided to go to court to sue the RCC Salim Kumakech and the Town Clerk Godfrey Kisseka in person because they closed my offices illegally. I want them to answer in court,” she said.
Nakapachu also rejected what she described as intimidation by the RCC, arguing that her longstanding presence in Jinja meant she would not be easily intimidated by city authorities.
“I have fought so many wars with big men, and even this one I will win because I have been in this town for long to be intimidated by Mr Salim Kumakech, who has just come to Jinja,” she said.
The radio presenter denied being solely responsible for the failed overseas employment arrangements, saying she had also been defrauded by companies involved in labour externalisation.
She said she previously deposited money into accounts belonging to companies that facilitate overseas employment but stopped the practice after one company allegedly defrauded her.
“I used to deposit money to the accounts of companies that deal in labour externalisation but when I was once defrauded by a certain company I stopped depositing money, I now first tell them to give me the Passports and Visa for my people before I make any deposits on their accounts,” Nakapachu said.
She said the change was intended to protect clients' money and her reputation, arguing that she had also been a victim of circumstances.
Nakapachu's explanation suggests that some of the arrangements involved third-party labour recruitment companies. However, the specific companies involved, the terms of the agreements and the status of the complainants' payments were not established from the information available.
The Nakapachu Foundation has reportedly participated in community initiatives, including helping vulnerable children with partial school fee payments, supporting disadvantaged communities and facilitating opportunities for casual labourers seeking employment in Arab countries.
However, the overseas employment arrangements have become the focus of the complaints reported by the RCC, with some job seekers allegedly claiming they paid money but never secured the promised jobs.
The dispute raises questions about the handling of payments for overseas employment, the role of intermediaries and the legal basis for closing the foundation's offices.
While Kumakech has called for action over the allegations, they remain unproven claims that require investigation by the relevant authorities. Nanteza has indicated that she intends to challenge the office closure in court.