Police in Wakiso district have arrested a man accused of impersonating a Parish Development Model (PDM) focal person and extorting money from potential beneficiaries.
Edson Akansasira was apprehended by authorities in Kasangati town council, Wakiso district, on Tuesday evening.
Maria Lubega, the deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kasangati sub-district, stated that the arrest followed numerous complaints from the public and civil servants.
Akansasira had reportedly been seen frequently in Kasangati town council, falsely claiming to be the area’s PDM focal person. He also allegedly asserted that he had been sent by the Office of the President to monitor the PDM initiative.
Lubega revealed that PDM SACCO leaders in Kasangati town council had lodged complaints with the PDM national secretariat in Kampala regarding alleged extortion and intimidation, highlighting irregularities in the program’s implementation.
“After the office of the RDC strengthened its grip on the PDM to remove the extortionists and those who were mismanaging it, some people rushed to the Office of the President and reported the RDC,” Lubega said. “However, we were receiving reports of extortion from the would-be beneficiaries by people posing as officials from State House, and we had to tighten the belts and we landed on a one Edson Akansasira.”
Lubega further explained that she had written to the PDM secretariat in Kampala about the concerns raised by PDM beneficiaries in Kasangati, including extortion and mismanagement.
In response, the secretariat dispatched the PDM deputy national coordinator, Jovrine Kaliisa Kyoumukama, and PDM national economist Dr. Sunday Nickson, to address the issues.
During a meeting at the RDC’s office, it was discovered that some SACCO leaders were colluding with civil servants to demand between sh10,000 and sh100,000 from potential beneficiaries in exchange for inclusion in the program.
Lubega also disclosed that they are investigating police officers suspected of colluding with arrested suspects. “We are investigating some Police officers who have made it an effort to frustrate our efforts to deal with extortionists. These police officers extort money from suspects and release them,” she said.
Kaliisa urged leaders in Kasangati to continue engaging and educating community members about the PDM program. She also encouraged SACCO members to maintain their savings.
That’s a reason to why your platform is not growing cause of publishing fake information. You are just given little money to defame people. Your lucking professionalism. Why are you selling your heads for just cheap popularity. Why are you standing with the oppressors to compress innocent citizens. It can’t just end like that. Justice must prevail.
The deputy RDC kasangati. Malia lubega has inniaduquate knowledge and sufficient information to monitor government problems. She fronts tribalism, fake politics of cheap popularity, Maurice and propaganda. The government should cancel appointments of empty tins