By Weswa Ronnie
NAMISINDWA
Two Namisindwa district technical officers are currently in police custody over embezzling 8 million shillings meant for community demand driven [CDD] program.
The suspects are identified as Jenerious Nakhaima, the former sub county chief of Bubutu Sub County but currently Bukhabusi sub county chief and Martine Bwaobi the sub county accountant of Bubutu Sub County.
According to Julie Namara, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner Namisindwa district, the two were arrested on Tuesday, 24th January, 2023, after beneficiaries under community demand driven [CDD] program from Bubutu Sub County reported them to the office of the RDC seeking help.
Mrs. Namara said ‘’ in 2021, two officers convinced group leaders who were signatories to sign before withdrawing eight million shillings at Baroda bank which they did and got money.’
Namara also said that those beneficiaries were supposed to use that money to do different projects like goat rearing, farming and saving in their SACCO.
‘’These officers asked the beneficiaries to lend them all 8 million shillings and use it for funding council meetings promising to pay back in 2022 which never happened up to now,” Madam deputy RDC said.
Jenipher Nabwire, the chairperson of Bubutu integrated farmers group under community demand driven [CDD] program said that the officers used sweet language to con them off their money.
She added that since 2021 she has been trying to make phone calls to the two officers but all don’t pick up.
Mrs Nabwire said ’’ most of her members in their SACCO believe that she misappropriated the money which forced her with other group members in the sub county to seek redress from the office of the RDC.’’
Sipola Wemesa, the chairperson of Muyembe women goat association under community demand driven [CDD] program of Bubutu Sub County asked the government to give appropriate punishment to these two officers such that they can be an example to others.
She added that currently poverty is hitting her with other fellow members since all their projects and plans were parallelized due to lack of money after being embezzled by two officers.
Rogers Taitika, the Elgon Region Police Spokesperson has confirmed the arrest saying that the two are currently being detained at Namisindwa police station.
He added that soon after investigations, they will be taken to court and answer charges of abuse of office and corruption.
Jackson Wakwaika, the LCV chairperson of Namisindwa district has condemned what the two did saying that rather than helping government to fight poverty among people they are instead swindling money meant to elevate people from poverty.
‘’ I ask the office of the RDC to force the two to repay the money and be refunded to the innocent beneficiaries,’’ Mr Wakwaika said.
John Musila, the Member of Parliament representing Bubulo East constituency in Namisindwa district has asked the office of the RDC and police to investigate other sub county chiefs and technocrats in the district.
He added that as parliament they do their work of allocating money but some technocrats swindle that little money which is meant to reduce poverty.
However, the two have accepted the accusation asking for pardon and promised to pay the money in installments.
