State House Anti-Corruption Unit Probes Alleged Corruption in Kisoro District’s PDM & Service Commission

KISORO – A team of investigators from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit has descended upon Kisoro district to uncover alleged corruption within the District Service Commission and the Parish Development Model (PDM).

At the helm of this operation is the Senior Legal Advisor of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Kayaga Kevin Mutamba.

Their inquiry began with a meticulous examination of the disbursement of funds under the PDM. They have honed in on six parish chiefs and town agents who are suspected of illicitly extorting money from beneficiaries. Mutamba highlighted that Kisoro residents have been consistently reporting instances of corruption to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit through its toll-free hotline, WhatsApp messages, and formal complaint letters.

A recurring issue, according to Mutamba, is the demand for bribes by parish chiefs and PDM SACCO chairpersons from beneficiaries. Notable individuals in this regard include the parish chief of Kaguga in Bukimbiri sub-county, as well as those in Nombe and Kashija wards within Rubuguri town council, and Gasovu in Nyarusiza sub-county. It has also come to light that some beneficiaries received less money than they had applied for, particularly in Murora Sub-County.

In a pivotal moment, Mutamba disclosed the names of both the affected beneficiaries and the parish chiefs implicated in these allegations. All six of them have provided statements under the guidance of a CID officer from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.

Mutamba, in a conversation with our reporter, expressed the team’s intention to delve further into the District Service Commission and its administration regarding allegations of job allocation scandals. However, she did not divulge the anticipated duration of their stay in Kisoro.

CUE IN KEVIN…ON READING NAMES……ENG//

In response to these allegations, a portion of Parish Chiefs, town agents, and PDM Sacco chairpersons vehemently denied any wrongdoing. They argued that some complainants are individuals who did not receive benefits during their application period. Others demanded a reevaluation of the loan processing procedure, emphasizing the financial burden they bear for expenses such as lunch, airtime, data, and transportation, without receiving any allowances to compensate for these costs.

CUE IN CHIEFS….DEFYING ALLEGATIONS….ENG//

Meanwhile, Aaron Mfitumukiza, the Commercial Officer of Kisoro Municipality, pointed to political influence as a significant factor affecting the implementation of the PDM. He asserted that this influence exerts pressure on parish chiefs and town agents.

CUE IN AARON……ON POLITICAL INFLUENCE….ENG//