The Kabale District Deputy RDC, Mr. Andrew Ronald Bakaki, has arrested eight parish chiefs from Kibuga and Butanda sub-counties, as well as the chairperson of the Karubanda PDM Sacco in Southern Division, Kabale Municipality. The arrests were made due to allegations of extortion from beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
The arrested individuals include:
- Mubangizi Herbert, parish chief of Kisibo Parish in Kibuga sub-county, who confiscated over 25 SIM cards from beneficiaries and extorted money from them.
- Ahimbisibwe Loyce, chairperson of Karubanda PDM Sacco, who extorted money from beneficiaries and then returned only 100,000 shillings to them.
- Kakuru Maxison, Byamukama Daniel, Rugambwa Johnbosco, Akanyijuka Samuel, Niwagaba Deick, and Mucunguzi Fred, who submitted lists of beneficiaries but failed to distribute funds to them.
Over 50 million shillings is suspected to have been embezzled by the arrested parish chiefs.
The Kabale District Deputy RDC, Andrew Ronald Bakaki, vowed to investigate and arrest all individuals suspected of extorting money from PDM beneficiaries in the district.
He also expressed concern over the confiscation of SIM cards from beneficiaries, which is contrary to PDM guidelines.
The Kabale District RDC, Godfrey Nyakahuma, questioned Mubangizi Herbert, the parish chief of Kisibo Parish in Kibuga Sub-county, about why he confiscated over 25 SIM cards from PDM beneficiaries contrary to PDM guidelines.
Mubangizi Herbert defended himself, stating that there was no network in Kisibo parish, which led to the confiscation of SIM cards. However, when asked why he never returned the SIM cards to the beneficiaries, he remained silent.
