MUGABE R
Parish Chiefs in Rukungiri District have agreed to refund Parish Development Model (PDM) funds that were fraudulently solicited from beneficiaries. The decision followed a consensus meeting held on Friday, 19th September 2025, at the District Council Hall, which brought together 75 Parish Chiefs and the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC).
The meeting was prompted by ongoing operations led by RDC Buroni Kikanshemeza, aimed at arresting Parish Chiefs accused of extorting money from PDM beneficiaries. The crackdown began in Murama Parish, Nyakishenyi Sub-county, where Parish Chief Justus Twesigomwe and SACCO Chairperson Frank Tweheyo were arrested, ordered to refund the money, and dismissed from their positions.
During the meeting, Parish Chiefs expressed concern that the arrests were tarnishing their reputation. They resolved to compile a list of the defrauded funds, particularly cases exceeding 50,000 shillings, and refund them voluntarily to avoid further public embarrassment.
Boaz Tindiwensi, Parish Chief of Nyabiteete and Chairperson of the Parish Chiefs Association, apologized for the misconduct, distancing the Association from the culprits and noting that only 43 of the 75 chiefs are registered members.
However, some Parish Chiefs, including Samuel Nayebare of Katonya and Vincent Kato of Kahoko, denied wrongdoing. They attributed the allegations to challenges of insufficient funding compared to the high number of beneficiaries, delays in disbursement, and pressure from communities facing hunger.
Rukungiri District Police Commander, SSP Brian Ampaire, cautioned the chiefs to embrace transparency, warning that arrests over PDM-related fraud will be executed without the option of police bond, in line with presidential directives.
The Chief Administrative Officer, Hajj Masokoyi Swalikh Wasswa, reminded the chiefs of earlier warnings against corruption and urged them to uphold integrity as they wait for improvements in their salaries.
RDC Buroni Kikanshemeza reaffirmed his office’s commitment to monitoring PDM activities across all parishes. He encouraged voluntary refund of the money to spare culprits from public embarrassment and legal consequences.
