On Thursday, September 21, 2023, Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Godfrey Nyakahuma ordered the immediate arrest of Sylvia Ekyasimire, the Parish Chief of Buranga Parish in Kamuganguzi Sub County, Ndorwa West County, and Patrick Wednesday, the area LC1 Chairman, over alleged corruption and violation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) guidelines.
Ekyasimire is accused of disbursing Ugx One Million from the revolving fund designated for the PDM to an individual who is not a resident of Nyarubira village within Buranga Parish, Kamuganguzi sub-county of Kabale district. She allegedly transferred the funds to a bank account bearing the number 3202720841 at Centenary Bank, registered in the name of Sarah Akamukama. It later emerged that Sarah Akamukama does not hold residency in any of the villages within Kamuganguzi sub-county.
Wednesday is accused of unlawfully employing the official stamp to authenticate the minutes of the Nyarubira Goat Keeping Group on 04/07/2023, without subjecting it to scrutiny and verification by the group members where Akamukama allegedly belongs.
These arrests come on the heels of the RDC’s order on Friday, September 22, 2023, for the apprehension of two Community Development Officers (CDOs) and six Parish Development Model SACCO leaders on grounds of alleged corruption and violations of PDM guidelines.
The list of suspects includes Sonia Ahimbisibwe, the Nyakagyera Parish Chief, Gill Andinda, the CDO of Kyanamira Sub County, Macklean Nyesimire, Chairperson of Nyakagyera PDM SACCO, Johnson Baguma, former Buhara District Councilor and Treasurer of Buhara Parish SACCO, Scora Tumwegyese, the CDO of Buhara Sub County, Innocent Twinomugisha, Secretary of Buhara Parish SACCO, Scovia Kwarikunda, Chairperson of Buhara PDM SACCO, and Silver Besigye, a committee member of Buhara PDM SACCO.
However, they were later released on Police bond.
These arrests mark significant actions taken by the authorities to address alleged corruption and misconduct within the PDM framework in Kabale District, underscoring their commitment to upholding accountability and transparency in local development initiatives.
The arrest of these local leaders is a positive development in the fight against corruption in the Parish Development Model (PDM). The PDM is a government program that aims to empower communities to identify and implement their own development priorities. However, corruption and misconduct can undermine the effectiveness of the PDM and prevent communities from benefiting from the program.
The authorities in Kabale District are taking a strong stance against corruption in the PDM. The arrest of these local leaders sends a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated. It is hoped that these arrests will deter others from engaging in corrupt practices and help to ensure that the PDM is implemented in a fair and transparent manner.
