MASAKA, December 10, 2024 — Two parish chiefs, John Rogers Mutebi, and Joseph Bbale, alongside John Baptist Matovu, the Masaka District Agricultural Officer and Focal Person for the Parish Development Model [PDM) ]in Masaka district, have been remanded after being arraigned at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Masaka City. The charges against them include theft and neglect of duty.
The three appeared before Masaka Deputy Chief Magistrate Joshua Twongyeire, who remanded them until December 23, 2024. Although they were eligible for bail, their sureties were deemed not credible as they failed to provide letters from the LC1 chairpersons of their respective villages.
Prosecution stated that John Rogers Mutebi, the parish chief of Bukibonga, allegedly extorted Shs 50,000 from Denis Ssekabira, a member of the Bukibonga PDM SACCO, while Joseph Bbale, the parish chief of Makonzi, allegedly stole Shs 950,000 from Geoffrey Mukasa, a member of the Makonzi PDM SACCO in Bukakata Sub-County, Masaka Rural District.
John Baptist Matovu, the PDM Focal Person for Masaka district, is accused of neglecting his supervisory responsibilities regarding the monitoring of PDM SACCOs within the district.
The three accused individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges. State prosecutor Abraham Akandekaho informed the court that the funds were intended for PDM SACCO members in Bukakata Sub-County, Masaka district, during the period between December 2023 and October 2024.
The arrests were made during a joint inspection tour aimed at addressing service delivery gaps, as well as a community meeting [Baraza] in Greater Masaka district and City on November 23, 2024. The tour was led by Lily Rose Akello, the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity.
https://thecooperator.news/pwds-seek-approval-to-form-separate-saccos-to-benefit-from-pdm/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 11
