RUKUNGIRI- Wilson John Bangyirana, the Parish Chief for Nyarwimuka Parish in Ruhinda Sub County Rukungiri district has been arrested on allegations of extorting money from the beneficiaries of Parish Development Model (PDM).
Bangyirana was arrested on Wednesday afternoon on the orders of Security Minister who is also the Rujumbura County Member of Parliament Hon. Maj. Gen Jim Katugugu Muhwezi.
During the Baraza meeting organized by Minister Jim Muhwezi in his constituency held at Burembo trading centre in Nyarwimuka Parish Ruhinda Sub County, Jim Muhwezi was told by residents that that Parish Chief collaborates with Parish Development Model SACCO committee and extort funds from people before being considered to benefit from PDM funds.
During the Baraza, the beneficiaries testified and pointed fingers at the Parish Chief who was present, saying together with Parish Development Model SACCO committee, they were collecting between shillings 50,000 and 300,000 from them something that angered the Minister Muhwezi and subsequently ordered Rukungiri DPC and DISO to arrest Parish Chief as investigations into the matter continue.
Minister Muhwezi also ordered police and DISO’s office to hunt for the whereabouts of Nyarwimuka Parish SACCO Committee members so that they are also apprehended.
Rukungiri District Police Commander (DPC) SSP. Apollo Kyangungu assured the Minister that he will adhere to his directive assuring him of his officers to be deployed to investigate the matter.
Guhoha Zephurino and Muhereza Arinitwe, some of the victims revealed that they were forced to first bribe the Parish chief before receiving 1M shilling from the government praising Minister Jim Muhwezi for his intervention.
