Rukungiri – The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mr Bron Kikanshemeza has arrested 2 people on allegations of extorting money from locals.
The arrested are the Parish chief of Murama parish Mr Justus Twesigomwe and the Parish Development Model Sacco chairperson Mr Tweheyo Frank.
The two were arrested during yesterday ‘s 4th Sept 2025 community dialogue between residents of Murama parish and the office of the Resident district commissioner (RDC) Rukungiri.
The arrest of the two followed multiple reports from the locals that the two were collecting money as the only way to allow them benefit from the Parish Development Model.
The Locals told the RDC that the two were demanding between Shs.30,000 to shs. 45000 from every person before receiving PDM money.
Mr Sabresa Tugume 46, a resident of Murama parish in Nyakishenyi sub- county Rukungiri district said ,the parish chief Mr Twesigomwe told to give shs 35000 if he wanted to benefit from PDM.
“After filling the PDM forms, I was forced to pay shs.35000 to the parish.After paying him the agreed amount it took me one month and I received shs 1M from the government. So for me I thought that was only way of benefiting I didn’t know that it was free if charge. So I need my money “.Mr Tugume told the meeting.
Mr Nsimaki Onesmus, 39 and a resident of Murama parish in Nyakishenyi sub- county Rukungiri accused the parish chief and Sacco chairperson for forcing him to pay shs 40000 before benefitting from the Parish Development Model program.
” I was forced to pay the parish chief because he told me that he needed for printing my forms so I had to pay”.Mr Onesimus said.
He wants the office the RDC to conduct more community dialogues because they are other people who were also forced to pay money before benefitting from PDM.
The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner Mr Bron Kikanshemeza accused the civil servants for frustrating government programs saying that the arrested will be taken to courts of law and be charged accordingly.
” Am very disappointed with this behavior because this project is meant for poor people and all services under PDM are free of charge. So am here to tell you that I will arrest whoever demanded money from locals”.Mr Kikanshemeza said.
He also issued a strong warning against civil servants engaging in corruption, especially within government programs.
” I will arrest you if you attempt to fail any government program because you are paid to implement such programs not to make them fail so stand warned”. Mr Kikanshemeza added.
The suspects are being held at Nyakishenyi Police Station and investigations are ongoing.
