PDM: Nyakinama, Mupaka & Busanza officials arrested

Four officials from Nyakinama Sub County, Busanza and Mupaka town council were Wednesday arrested and tasked to record statements following accusations of corruption.

These were arrested during an ongoing assessment of the impact and implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) project in Kisoro district.

The Parish Development Model is a government-led initiative in Uganda aimed at transforming subsistence households into the money economy and lifting 17.5 million Ugandans in 3.5 million households out of poverty.

The assessment is spearheaded by the Kisoro Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) office.

Following a tour of Muramba and Bunagana last week, the team on Wednesday met communities, beneficiaries and leaders of Nyakinama and Busanza Sub Counties, and Mupaka Town Council.

Kisoro Assistant RDC, Vallence Hagumimana says the tour will be enrolled to all parishes.

Hagumimana says their aim is to listen to people’s concerns in the PDM project.

Rwaramba parish chief Niragire Stephen and his PDM Sacco chairperson Matayo Kwizera, both from Nyakinama sub county were arrested after the gathering accused them of extorting them before appearing on the beneficiaries list.

Byamugisha Michael, the town agent central ward, Mupaka town council and Mugisha Christopher, CDO Busanza sub county were also accused of extorting between 100,000 – 150,000 Shillings from beneficiaries.

Kisoro Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Robert Tukamuhebwa, directed them to record statements as police investigations take shape.

“From Rwaramba, Chihe and Mbuga, it is only the parish chief of Rwaramba and the Sacco chairperson that have been accused of demanding for bribes. The CDO and town agent have also been named. They extorted between Shs50,000 and 150,000. It is wrong to induce kickbacks in this project and you have to make statements with police.” Said Tukamuhebwa.

Kisoro OWC Coordinator, Col Deo Kaita, emphasized that beneficiaries ought to invest the funds into productive ventures, since the project is a revolving fund that should be reimbursed.

At Busanza Sub County, the LC3 chairperson, Muntuki Didas, regreted that LC3 Chairperson offices were left out of the project implementation chain, which limits their supervision.

His Nyakinama counterpart, Bigyira Kamuhanda Charles noted that corruption victims have not approached their offices to report extortion.

The RDC’s office is on Thursday expected to meet residents and leaders of Nyarusiza Sub County, before heading to Chahi.

Residents are asked to secretly write names and amount of bribes extorted by the officials.