STAFF REPORTER
Police in Mitooma District have arrested three Parish Development Model (PDM) Sacco chairpersons and are pursuing others over allegations of extorting money from PDM beneficiaries.
The arrested individuals are Benon Bagorogoza from Furuma Mutara Town Council, Justus Kamuza of Rurehe South PDM Sacco, and James Turyamureba of Kiyanga PDM Sacco. They were detained following a consultative meeting held with beneficiaries in Ruhinda South and Ruhinda North constituencies.
According to Umaru Muhanguzi, the Mitooma District Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the trio was apprehended during the meeting. He added that a broader list of suspects, including parish chiefs and other Sacco leaders, is being compiled for further action.
While addressing residents and parish chiefs at Bitereko Church of Uganda yesterday, Ronald Tibingana Kato, the Mitooma District Internal Security Officer, highlighted that some parish chiefs exploit the excuse of lacking data to extort money from beneficiaries. He noted that these officials had received facilitation of UGX 100,000 to assist with such issues but misused it for personal gain.
Fred Kizito Mukasa, the Mitooma District Chief Administrative Officer, revealed that several parish chiefs have already been interdicted for involvement in extortion. He further emphasized that stringent measures will now extend to PDM Sacco chairpersons, who have made such corrupt practices habitual.
