By Weswa Ronnie
BUTALEJA
Police in Butaleja district have arrested four parish chiefs and two SACCO leaders over allegations of extorting Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries.
The arrest that was carried out on Tuesday, 7th January, 2025 was ordered by Eva Kwesiga, The Butaleja Resident District Commissioner after a number of complaints from the PDM beneficiaries.
The suspects are Abu Baker Kibirango, Sacco leader for Masanghe (SACCO) parish in Nawanjofu Sub County, and his vice Chairperson Kassim Higenyi. The duo is accused of allegedly extorting over Shs8 million from over 200 beneficiaries, then later deleting their names from PDM beneficiaries’ list.
The parish chiefs who were arrested are Samuel Waiyaba, Sarah Aguti, Suzan Mwebaze, and Sunday Were.
Godfrey Nasuga, the Assistant RDC for Butaleja warned the police against giving bond to those suspects saying they risk losing their jobs and arrests.
He says the suspects will be arraigned in the courts of law after completion of investigations.
This follows President Museveni’s directive during his PDM tours in Eastern region that police should arrest any PDM leader and civil servants found frustrating the program.
Stephen Were, the district PDM focal person stated that any dirty money collected from the beneficiaries unwillingly in this program is a crime.
He warned politicians against frustrating the PDM program by telling beneficiaries that the money has to be eaten since it’s Museven’s appreciation.
Moses Mugwe, the Bukedi South police spokesperson confirmed the arrestS saying the suspects are being detained at Butaleja Central police station.
