Rukungiri RDC Interdicts Parish Chief Over Alleged PDM Bribery
Rukungiri: The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner, Bron Kikanshemeza, has interdicted Nyabiteete Parish Chief in Bugangari Subcounty, Onesimus Tukekwasa, for six months over allegations of soliciting money from residents seeking to access Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
Tukekwasa, who previously served as the Burombe Parish Chief in Ruhinda Subcounty, was interdicted on September 28, during a meeting with residents at Ruhinda Subcounty headquarters.
The meeting followed complaints from several PDM beneficiaries who alleged that they were asked to pay money before accessing the funds.
The RDC directed the affected residents to report to police and record statements as investigations into the allegations continue.
During the meeting, residents were asked to state the amounts they were allegedly asked to pay. The money reportedly collected from the affected residents totaled about 3.8 million shillings.
The money was allegedly collected by Tukekwasa and two other people, Derrick Kabakoreyo and Justine Natukunda.
Cue in……….. Residents on Bribes…..RR.
The PDM parish chairperson for Burombe in Ruhinda Subcounty Derrick Kabakoreyo, is currently on the run as police continue searching for him.
RDC Kikanshemeza directed that once Kabakoreyo is arrested, he should hand over all PDM documents and other materials in his possession to the authorities.
The matter follows the arrest of Gilbert Turyatunga, a resident of Katookye Village in Burombe Parish.
According to police, intelligence received on 23rd September, indicated that Kabakoreyo had recruited Turyatunga to collect money from PDM beneficiaries on his behalf.
On 24th September, police conducted an operation at Turyatunga’s business premises in Katookye Trading Centre, where he allegedly received 100,000 shillings from people seeking PDM loans.
Police recovered four marked 50,000-shilling notes from Turyatunga, together with two PDM application forms. He was arrested and remains detained at Rukungiri Central Police Station as investigations continue.
RDC Kikanshemeza warned residents against paying money to access PDM funds and urged anyone facing such demands to report to the authorities.
Cue in………..RDC Bron on PDM…..RR.
The Ruhinda Subcounty LC3 Chairperson, Hellen Kabajungu, welcomed the RDC’s intervention and called on residents to actively participate in government programmes and work with their local leaders.
Cue in……….. Hellen…RR.
Some residents of Burombe Parish in Ruhinda Subcounty, including Fredrick Byarugaba and Jolly Nankunda, welcomed the intervention.
They said some PDM beneficiaries had allegedly been asked to pay between 100,000 and 200,000 shillings before accessing the funds.
Cue in……… VOX POP Ruhinda Residents….RR.