Kiryandongo District – Authorities in Kiryandongo are investigating a series of extortion cases tied to the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM) program, with two key suspects now behind bars.
The suspects Kisembo Ibra, Parish Chief of Nyamahasa Parish, and Stanley Odeke, Chairperson of the Tuyungane Group in Mpumwe Parish, Kigumba Sub-county were arrested earlier this week over allegations of soliciting money from PDM beneficiaries.
According to Samuel Mbabazi, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Kisembo is accused of extorting more than Sh7 million from beneficiaries before his arrest.
In a separate incident, Odeke allegedly demanded Sh200,000 from each of four beneficiaries in exchange for consideration for a Sh1 million loan. The total Sh800,000 was reportedly recovered after a whistleblower, a woman approached for the same payment, alerted authorities.
“The recovered funds will be returned to the victims,” Mbabazi confirmed.
Both men are currently detained at Kiryandongo Central Police Station and are expected to appear in court soon.