The Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Retired Major Godfrey Katamba, has ordered the arrest of four officials in Musamba Parish, Rubaya Sub-County, over allegations of manipulating the distribution of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds and demanding bribes from beneficiaries.
The suspects have been identified as Musamba Parish SACCO chairperson Godwin Turayakikayo, secretary Enock Ntegyera, treasurer Joventa Tusasibwe, and the parish’s acting LCII chairperson Monday Charles.
The four were arrested on Thursday during a baraza held at Rubaya Sub-County headquarters following a wave of complaints from SACCO members.
Several beneficiaries, including Annah Tushemerirwe, Bafaki Edson and Kaperere Jimmy, accused the officials of collecting personal details from registered beneficiaries but diverting the funds to a few selected individuals while deleting genuine beneficiaries from the official list.
The complainants further alleged that the officials worked in collusion with the acting LCII chairperson to channel parish funds to relatives and friends, some of whom are reportedly outside the country. They also claimed the officials demanded between Shs20,000 and Shs50,000 from applicants before allowing them to access the funds.
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Speaking at the baraza, RDC Katamba warned that the suspects will face the law once investigations are completed, emphasizing that government will not tolerate the misuse of public funds meant to uplift communities.
Katamba also confirmed the removal of Justus Katebwa, the PDC SACCO chairperson of neighbouring Kitooma Parish, over similar allegations of embezzlement. He said fresh elections for the Kitooma SACCO leadership will be organized in the coming weeks.
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