Ibanda: District council concerned over extortion reports in PDM
Ibanda district council has called for urgent action against parish chiefs who are reportedly extorting money from the Parish Development Model (PDM) program beneficiaries.
This follows a public outcry over rising cases of extortion by some parish chiefs who ask for money from beneficiaries to process their documents.
Speaking during the district council session on Friday, Ibanda district council speaker, Godwin Muhumuza revealed that some parish chiefs and chairpersons of PDM SACCOs are using the program to make their own money.
He called on council and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to act and save the ordinary person from being cheated by people employed to serve them.
Commenting on the matter, the district LC V chairman, Herbert Happy Mayanja said the fight against the vice is being frustrated by the beneficiaries “who don’t want to reveal the identities of the rogue parish chiefs”.
Meanwhile, Ibanda RDC Joseph Drake Mukiibi also challenged the councilors to do their work and help victims, saying that the reported extortion by parish chiefs is a “public secret” known to everyone, including councillors.
Mukiibi told the district council that cases of extortion have been reported in Igorora town council in Ibanda South County; in Kyeikucu in Kagongo Division, Ibanda Municipality, and in Kijongo sub-county, Ibanda North County adding that he has already forwarded the names of the parish chiefs reported to him as suspected extortionists to office of the CAO for action.
To curb the vice, Bibian Kabasonga (Ishongororo), suggested that leaders should always meet the beneficiaries alone during sensitization drives so that they can free speak out without fear.
