District Commercial Officer Arrested Over PDM Extortion

Police in Namisindwa district have arrested the Namisindwa Acting Commercial Officer over allegations that he extorts money from Parish Development Model beneficiaries.

Bernard Kitongo’s arrest on Thursday, 19th December, 2024 was carried out on orders of Bosco Nabonga, the Namisindwa Assistant Resident District Commissioner.

According to Nabonga, a number of PDM beneficiaries from different SACCOs alleged that they have been paying between 50,000/= to 100,000/ to their SACCO leaders who say the money is for the commercial officer who needs it before considering them for the program.

He adds that he carried out his own investigation and got evidence saying it was the reason he asked police to summon him to make a statement.

Nabongo also says that last week, Kitongo appeared before Namisindwa CPS where he was briefly detained but released on the same day.

The Assistant RDC ordered for his re-arrest yesterday and Kitongo was transferred to Lwakhakha Police post where he is currently detained.

When contacted, SP Rogers Taitika, the Elgon region police spokesperson told this reporter that he was still gathering information