Five parish chiefs and Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) leaders in Rubanda district, Uganda have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries. The arrests, ordered by acting Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Eric Ssewandingi, took place in Ikumba sub-county and Nshanjare town council.
The suspects, identified as Lius Tumwesigye, Unique Atuheire, Gerald Tumwesigye, Elias Ahimbisibwe, and Justus Mwesigye, are accused of demanding between 50,000 and 100,000 Ugandan shillings from PDM beneficiaries. Ssewandingi reported that authorities recovered 2.5 million shillings from three of the suspects: Justus Tumwesigye, Ezera Arineitwe, and Gerald Tumwesigye.
The RDC explained that the arrests followed a tip-off from a whistleblower, leading to an intelligence operation that confirmed the extortion allegations. I summoned the committee which came this morning and after that they accepted and the money was recovered,” Ssewandingi stated.
Two of the accused, Elias Tumwesigye (chairperson) and Unique Atuheire (treasurer) of the Ikumba Parish Development Model SACCO, allegedly extorted between 50,000 to 100,000 shillings from over 15 PDM beneficiaries.
Ssewandingi has called on the public to report any cases of extortion, emphasizing that the PDM is a free service. He assured citizens that the district will continue monitoring all sub-counties and parishes to root out corruption within the program.
“I call upon the general public not to fear giving us information. They should give us information and we clean up,” Ssewandingi urged. He confirmed that the arrested individuals are in custody and that the recovered money is with the authorities.
This crackdown highlights ongoing challenges in implementing rural development programs in Uganda and underscores the government’s efforts to combat corruption at the local level. As the investigation continues, it serves as a warning to other officials and a call for increased vigilance among PDM beneficiaries.
Source: nilepost.co.ug
