LUGAZI – Grace Laso Magero, a secretary to the community development officer [CDO] of Lugazi Municipality Ruth Asea Nahone, was arrested by police detectives days ago shortly after receiving money on behalf of her boss who is on the run.
It is alleged Nahone asked leaders of Kabula Dairy Elders’ Group to give her Shs 500,000 after Shs 5 million was deposited on the group’s bank account by government under a social empowerment programme run by the Gender Ministry.
Ssezibwa regional police spokesperson, Hellen Butoto, said police registered a case of abuse of office and demanding money by false pretence against Nahone and her accomplice.
“Kabula Dairy Elders Group registered with the office of the community development officer Lugazi Municipal Council as an interested group to rear dairy cattle as per the government programme towards the elderly persons under the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development,” Butoto said.
After registration, the police said, the community development officer advised the leaders of the group to open a bank account with Finance Trust Bank Lugazi Branch and on March 23, 2023, Shs 5 million was deposited in the bank account.
It is alleged that On June 27, 2023, the CDO Nahone rang the chairman of the group that the money had been deposited on their group bank account and that the chairman should go for the meeting in the CDO’s office, where she asked for a kickback.
“On the 29/06/2023 the CDO Nahone Ruth Asea rang Mr. Offono on his phone and informed him that after withdrawing the money from the group account, Shs 500,000 should be remitted back to the CDO’s office and that if he doesn’t find her in office, he should give the money to her secretary Grace,” Butoto said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the CDO started making several calls demanding for the money from the group prompting the group members to report the matter to the police.
“An exhibit of Shs 500,000 was found with the secretary to the CDO. Grace Laso Magero was arrested and detained at CPS Lugazi. CDO Nahone Ruth of Lugazi Municipality is still on the run as investigations are ongoing,” she said.
https://thecooperator.news/kwania-pdm-sacco-leaders-arrested-over-extortion/
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