Drama as Namisindwa women confiscate cow, furniture over GROW funds
Only five women received money over the weekend, raising suspicions of foul play.
Namisindwa: In a dramatic protest in Buganti Sub County, Namisindwa District, a group of mothers confiscated a cow and office furniture from Perez Weswa, their area district councilor, and stormed the sub-county office to seize more property on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The women accuse Weswa and Anthony Busolo, the Bungati LC3 Chairperson, of taking Shs 2 million in bribes with a promise to help them access funds from the GROW program, a government initiative aimed at supporting business women.
Mary Khwaka, one of the protesters, stated that Weswa and Busolo demanded a Shs 10,000 bribe from each of the 50 women in their group, assuring them that this would secure funds ranging from Shs 1 to 3 million. However, only five women received money over the weekend, raising suspicions of foul play.
Sandra Nandutu, another affected woman, expressed her frustration, saying the women confiscated the cow and office furniture with the intent to sell them to recoup their money.
Meanwhile, Andrew Wabweni, the GROW focal person for Namisindwa District, said he was informed of the issue by the complainants and planned to intervene. He reminded all beneficiaries that the GROW program is entirely free, and warned them against paying bribes.
Weswa, however, denies the accusations, claiming that he only asked willing applicants to contribute Shs 5,000 each to cover his transport costs for collecting application forms from the district.
He insists he took no bribes and plans to pursue legal action against those who took his cow. LC3 Chairperson Busolo supported Weswa’s account, stating that Centenary Bank officials had visited the homes of beneficiaries to assess eligibility.
Busolo noted that only five women were assessed and received funds, and the remaining applicants would be considered in a follow-up visit.
By press time, the confiscated cow and furniture remained in the hands of the protesting women, who intended to sell the items to recover their lost money.
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