Masindi PDM Chair accused of extortion remanded
The duo, however, denied all charges preferred against them.
Masindi: The chairperson of Tukole Hamu Group in Muramura Village, Ayesiga John in Bwijanga sub-county, has been remanded to Masindi government prison over an allegation of extorting money from Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries.
He was remanded on Thursday June 27, 2024 by Masindi grade one magistrate, Victoria Naluyima.
Naluyima informed the accused that the Masindi Court registrar has not yet allocated his file to a magistrate for prosecution and therefore remanded him until July 11, 2024, when he will come for mention.
He, however, denied all charges preferred against them.
Ayesiga is being accused of extorting each PDM beneficiary Shs200, 000 in order to benefit from the program, affecting at least 17 beneficiaries.
Prior, Prisca Bahangure, a member of Tukole Hamu Group Muramura, told this publication that they were told to form a group, and each beneficiary paid shs200,000 in order to benefit from PDM. She adds that, after paying the money, she was not among the beneficiaries and asked for government intervention.
Sayuni Birungi, also a group member, says that since March this year, the above individuals have been dodging them until they found out that they were missing on the list of beneficiaries and want her money refunded.
Ebenezer Musinguzi, the LC1 Chairperson for Kihaara Village, says some of the victims of extortion are afraid of reporting the matter.
James Mudede, the LC3 Chairperson for Bwijanga Sub County, said that they have had issues with the implementation of PDM, mostly in Kitamba Parish, where claims of extortion have been reported.
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