By Libino Byamukama
The Rubanda District Acting RDC, Eric Ssewandigi, on Monday arrested five officials in Rubanda district accused of extorting money from PDM beneficiaries. The officials are from Ikumba Sub-county and Nshanjare Town Council.
Those arrested are Tumwesigye Lius, Atuheire Unique, Tumwesigye Gerald, Ahimbisibwe Elia, and Mwesigye Justus. They are suspected of extorting between 50,000-100,000 shillings from PDM beneficiaries.
Speaking to our reporter after the arrests, Rubanda District Acting RDC Eric Ssewandigi said he apprehended three individuals in Nshanjare Town Council and recovered money worth 2.5 million shillings. They are Tumwesigye Justus, the secretary for PDC Nshanjare Town Council; Arineitwe Ezera, chairperson for Loans; and Tumwesigye Gerald, the chairperson for PDC Committee Sacco for Nshanjare Town Council. Ssewandigi said they were collecting 50,000 shillings from each parish Development Model beneficiary. He acted on a public outcry.
Ssewandigi then proceeded to Ikumba Sub-county, where he arrested Tumwesigye Elius, chairperson of the Ikumba Parish Development Model, and Atuheire Unique, treasurer of the Ikumba Parish Development Model. The two allegedly charged 50,000-100,000 shillings from over 15 beneficiaries who testified. Ssewandigi vowed to crack down on anyone involved in extortion in the PDM Program.
Some of the PDM beneficiaries, including Biryomumeisho Marizon, Owoyesigire Yared, Abaho Anita, and Jascenta Kagasangira, accused the arrested individuals of demanding bribes of between 50,000-100,000 shillings.
