BY JOACKIM KULE
The Parish Chief for Lyakirema in Nyakiyumbu Sub-county, Bukonzo County West in Kasese district has been arrested on allegations of extorting money from the beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model.
Mr. John Idembe was arrested today afternoon on the orders of the Kasese Deputy RDC in-charge of Bukonzo County, Lt. Maate Magwara shortly after holding a meeting with the Parish Development Model beneficiaries of Lyakirema at Nyamighera Primary School.
During the meeting, the beneficiaries testified and pointed fingers at the Parish Chief, saying he was collecting between shillings 100,000 and 120,000 from them something that angered the RDC and subsequently handed Mr. Idembe to police at Nyakiyumbu Police Post as investigations into the matter continue.
The beneficiaries had earlier confided to the RDC that they had collected more than shillings 3.2 million in total and handed it to the implementers of the programme in the parish.
Lt. Magwara revealed that he was forced to convene today’s meeting following an outcry from the members who were accusing their SACCO leaders for allegedly mismanaging the program and diverting it from its intended purpose.
Magwara also ordered police to hunt for the whereabouts of the Parish SACCO Committee Chairman, Mr. Edward Masereka, the Secretary, John Bwambale and Sofia Biira, the Treasurer who had boycotted the meeting so that they are arrested.
Ms Glades Musiime Nyabahasa, the Local Council II Chairperson for Lyakirema parish explained that there were gaps between the SACCO leaders and her leadership.
Mr. Johnson Ndiima, the Nyakiyumbu Sub-county Secretary for Social Services, told the RDC to extend his investigations in other parishes so as to ascertain if the program is being implemented in the right direction.
ENDS