Masindi LC1, PDM SACCO Chair arrested for extortion
They are accused of extorting each PDM beneficiary 200,000 shillings in order to benefit from the program.
Masindi: Police in Masindi district are holding two individuals on allegations of extorting money from the beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) Program in Kitamba Parish, Bwijanga Sub County.
The accused are John Ayesiga, the chairperson of Tukole Hamu Group in Muramura Village, and Edward Irumba, the LC1 chairperson for Muramura Village.
They are accused of extorting each PDM beneficiary 200,000 shillings in order to benefit from the program, and at least 17 beneficiaries have been affected.
Prisca Bahangure, a member of Tukole Hamu Group Muramura, told this publication that they were told to form a group and each beneficiary pay 200,000 shillings in order to benefit from PDM.
Bahangure stresses that though she paid the said fee, she didn’t benefit from the program, thus appealing 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.
Janepher Ayesiga is appealing for government intervention for their money to be refunded and benefit from the presidential initiative.
Ebenezer Musinguzi, the LC1 Chairperson for Kihaara Village, said that some individuals in his area who were extorted were afraid of reporting the matter even after being told the government programs are not charged.
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 beneficiaries have been extorted.
Mudede, however, said that the beneficiaries were afraid of reporting extortioners in fear of missing the money until they missed benefiting from the program.
Emmy Ngabirano, the Resident District Commissioner for Masindi, has confirmed the arrest of the two, saying they are detained at Masindi Central Police Station for interrogation.
He also warned the LC1 Chairperson against deciding on the PDM beneficiaries without calling for meetings and advised those who have been extorted to report to his office for action.
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