KANUNGU, Uganda — Six officials attached to the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Buhoma Town Council have been arrested over allegations of extorting money from residents and mismanaging funds meant for beneficiaries.
The suspects were apprehended on Wednesday on the orders of Ambrose Amanyire Mwesigye, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kanungu District, following complaints from residents during a community baraza meeting.
The arrested officials have been identified as Arinaitwe Herbert and Magezi Moses, both town agents; Kyomuhendo Doreeka, a cleaner at Buhoma Town Council; Ariho Brian, the Community Development Officer (CDO); as well as Ninshaba Sam and Kanyesigye Frank.
Their arrest followed a heated community meeting organised by the RDC’s office at Kanyanshande Church of Uganda, where residents raised several complaints against the officials.
Community members, including Tugabirwe Yeremia, Tweheyo James, and Bernarda Tugabirwe, accused the suspects of demanding Shs50,000 from residents seeking to access funds under the government programme. According to the residents, those who failed to pay the money were denied the opportunity to benefit from the PDM initiative.
Residents also accused Kyomuhendo Doreeka and Ariho Brian of collecting national identity cards and Shs50,000 from applicants under the pretext of helping them access PDM funds.
Members of the PDM SACCO committees further alleged that some SACCO leaders had been distributing funds without consulting committee members. They claimed that the leaders were making unilateral decisions regarding the management and allocation of the funds.
However, the suspects denied the allegations of extorting money from residents. They admitted collecting national identity cards but said the documents were intended to help correct beneficiaries’ names and National Identification Numbers (NINs).
RDC Amanyire dismissed the explanation, describing the practice as illegal and a betrayal of public trust. He warned that his office would not tolerate any form of corruption in the implementation of government programmes.
He reaffirmed his commitment to arresting SACCO leaders who defraud PDM beneficiaries and urged residents to remain vigilant in safeguarding the programme.
Amanyire also cautioned beneficiaries against using the funds for unproductive activities, noting that the money is a revolving fund that must be repaid to enable other community members to benefit.
The suspects are currently detained at Kanungu Police Station as investigations continue.
