By THE OBSERVER UG
Several Namisindwa district officials were arrested over extortion
Leaders from various sub-counties in Namisindwa district involved in the alleged extortion of cash from Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries have been compelled to reimburse the money they had taken.
Since the inception of the second phase of PDM cash distribution, Namisindwa has faced numerous allegations of extortion. Beneficiaries accused Sacco leaders, sub-county community development officers (CDOs), and parish chiefs of demanding sums ranging from Shs 30,000 to Shs 200,000 before allowing registration.
In response to these allegations and the deletion of individuals from the lists for not paying, Imran Muluga, Namisindwa resident district commissioner, intervened – with several Sacco leaders, parish chiefs, and sub-county CDOs were arrested and charged.
Muluga tasked the accused leaders to source and return the extorted money to the district leadership before leaving police custody. Notably, leaders from Namboko and Bumbo sub-counties refunded Shs 8 million collected from beneficiaries. This restitution aimed to reimburse all affected beneficiaries who were previously coerced into paying before accessing the program.
Andrew Wabweni, Namisindwa district community development officer and PDM focal person affirmed the commitment to compelling all implicated leaders across the district to refund the extorted money. He reiterated that the PDM program is free and condemned leaders exploiting beneficiaries’ ignorance.
Wabweni condemned the deceitful practices of certain leaders, misleading beneficiaries by falsely claiming that the district-mandated the collection of money on their behalf. He emphasized the government’s resolve to curb such fraudulent actions and uphold the integrity of the program.
Jackson Wakwaika, the LC V chairperson of Namisindwa district, cautioned beneficiaries against further payments to Sacco or parish leaders, emphasizing its illegality. He assured the district’s pursuit, through legal or peaceful means, to recover unlawfully extorted funds.
Charles Wabomba, the LC I chairperson of Namwenula cell in Bumbo town council, praised the district’s actions, foreseeing a deterrent effect on leaders with similar tendencies. Dina Khwaka from Bumulika Poultry Sacco, refunded Shs 30,000 extorted by a parish chief, and applauded the district’s intervention, hoping it would discourage further extortion in the area.
John Musila, the Bubulo East constituency member of parliament, commended the district leaders’ efforts and urged them to replicate these actions across all sub-counties. He suggested joint arrests of both beneficiaries and leaders as a means to halt such practices. Despite leaders emphasizing the PDM program’s free nature, silent payments persist, leading to subsequent complaints.
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