Story by Osuta Yusuf.
Maracha District
30-10-2024.
A very elusive LC3 Chairperson for Awiziru Sub-county, Hon Saul Abiriga whom the security officials in the district said, he has been evading arrest ever since the issue on him allegedly getting involved in PDM Money scandal was brought to their attention and that of the public, has finally been arrested on Wednesday 30-10-2024 and detained at Maracha District Central Police Station pending further investigations into his case
According to the brief findings, the LC3 Chairperson Hon Saul Abiriga who helped a disabled and barren 75-Years-Old Mzee Andrua Simon in 2022 to get registered into Magoba Enterprise Sacco group and received 900,000 Shs, allegedly took all the money and refused to give a penny to the beneficiary, Mzee Andrua Simon in Otravu village, Oluvu Parish in Awiziru Sub-county, Maracha Constituency, Maracha District.
The suspect, Hon Saul Abiriga whose file is prepared under MAR CRB: 271 / 2024 has been charged with theft.
The District Police Commander for Maracha District SP Joshua Kananura while confirming the arrest of the LC3 Chairperson Hon Saul Abiriga, said, they are waiting for advise from the State Attorney over the case file.
The DPC further stated that, their intention as the police is to prosecute suspects who are investigated and their files sanctioned by the State Attorney, so that will be a deterrence to those who might be having the intention to extort or steal PDM money from the beneficiaries.
The deputy RDC for Maracha District, Koliba Monica Kotevu noted that, the first phase of Parish Development Model implementation had lots of challenges, where some public servants decided to award for themselves money through the sacoo groups or extort money from PDM beneficiaries.
While confirming the arrest of the LC3 Chairperson for Awiziru Sub-county, Ms Monica said, they will continue to pursue suspects who are still at large after mismanaging the funds.
“A general case file has been opened in the district against public servants who might have or have been engaged in embezzling PDM funds in Maracha District”, Deputy RDC Monica added.