In a turn of events that has brought relief to many, the Parish Chief, Twesigomwe Justus, and the Sacco chairperson, Tweheyo Frank, were arrested today due to allegations of financial misconduct related to the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
The arrests occurred during a community meeting at Nangala Church of Uganda, attended by the Rukungiri District Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Bron Kikanshemeza, and other PDM officials.
The PDM program is intended to enhance the livelihoods of residents by providing financial assistance to various community projects. However, the situation in Murama Parish has raised serious concerns.
Residents reported that both Justus and Frank were charging exorbitant fees ranging from UGX 30,000 to UGX 450,000 to access these funds. Many community members expressed frustration, stating that they were coerced into paying these fees under the impression that doing so would ensure their access to vital financial support.
Ganshanga Christopher, the LC 2 chairperson of Murama Parish, highlighted the lack of guidance from PDM officials, which contributed to the chaos.
He said, they been left without a focal person to help us navigate this program stressing that the district PDM officials have shown little concern for their needs, making the situation worse for the residents.
According to reports, those who failed to pay the required fees were outright denied access to the PDM funds. Even residents who managed to scrape together the money claimed they were still left empty-handed, with no follow-through on promised financial assistance which left them felt helpless, one resident lamented that gave them money thinking it would help them, but instead, they were just taken advantage of and as a result this arrest have left them rejoicing.
The suspects defended their actions by claiming that the money collected was used for transportation to meetings, lunch, and other facilitation costs. They had initially charged UGX 17,000 for forms, which many thought was reasonable, but their subsequent demands significantly escalated and left them out words.
The community of Murama Parish comprises 12 cells, including Kigina, Nyabyogo, and Rutezo and others. Among the nine PDM Saccos in Nyakishenyi Sub County, Murama PDM Sacco has reportedly received a total of 151 million shillings, intended for distribution among the cells. However, the mismanagement by Justus and Frank has tainted the program’s reputation.
In response to the arrests, RDC Bron Kikanshemeza ordered immediate action from local PDM officials. He demanded the appointment of new leadership for the parish and the Sacco within a week, emphasizing the urgency of restoring public trust. He also instructed the Nyakishenyi Police Station to ensure that no suspects are released without accountability for the funds taken from residents.
Kikanshemeza reiterated his commitment to overseeing government programs and vowed to take a hard stance against any further mismanagement stating that his role is to monitor these programs and ensure they serve the people, stressing he will not hesitate to take action against those who exploit the system.
The sentiment among residents has shifted from despair to cautious optimism following the arrests. Many hope that new leadership will reinvigorate the PDM program in Murama Parish and provide the support needed to improve their lives.
As the community awaits the appointment of new officials, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and transparency within the PDM framework. The events in Murama Parish serve as a critical reminder of the importance of integrity in government programs designed to uplift marginalized communities.
