MUGABE R
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Rukungiri, Mr. Bruno Kikanshemeza, has ordered the arrest of two Murama Parish leaders over alleged mismanagement of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
The arrested officials are Justus Twesigomwe, the Parish Chief of Murama, and Frank Tweheyo, the Chairperson of Murama PDM SACCO. The pair was apprehended on Tuesday, 4th September 2025, during a community meeting held in Murama Parish, Nyakishenyi Sub County, which was convened to address numerous complaints from beneficiaries.
Several residents reported cases of fraud and irregularities in the loan disbursement process, prompting the RDC to order their immediate detention at Nyakishenyi Sub County Police Post. Mr. Kikanshemeza directed the suspects to refund the money within two days and confirmed that they would be dismissed from their positions. He emphasized that the PDM is a key Presidential Initiative and must be implemented with integrity.
Local leaders, including Christopher Ganshanga, LC2 Chairperson for Murama Parish, criticized the manner in which the program was launched, citing the transfer of the previous Parish Chief without a formal handover and the disbursement of funds to unplanned beneficiaries. LC3 Chairperson Twinomujuni Wednesday condemned the fraud, attributing it to greed and bribery among some beneficiaries and providers.
RDC Kikanshemeza, who previously served in Rubirizi District, noted that Rubirizi was ranked second nationally in proper PDM implementation and vowed to ensure similar success in Rukungiri by cracking down on misuse.
Twesigomwe admitted to receiving the funds, while Tweheyo denied the allegations, but both were detained and face dismissal and recovery orders.
