By Ambrose Kweronda
www.mknewslink.com
In Kisoro
Three Kisoro District officials have been granted police bond at Kisoro Police Station by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) after being arrested and questioned over alleged corruption.
The officials have been identified as Ramadan Ndikuyeze, Ngabo Habert Bubasha and John Mfitumukiza, all civil servants attached to Kisoro District Local Government.
Ndikuyeze, a former chairperson of Central Division in Kisoro Municipality, was arrested over allegations of misusing Shs70 million meant for the Kisoro Municipality Emyooga SACCO.
Bubasha, the Kisoro District Veterinary Officer and Parish Development Model (PDM) focal person, was arrested over allegations of extorting money from PDM beneficiaries. However, he reportedly said he was unaware of the alleged extortion.
Meanwhile, Mfitumukiza was arrested over allegations of soliciting money from job seekers.
The three officials were released on police bond on Monday, October 26, following their arrest on Sunday, as investigations into the allegations continued.
SHACU Principal Legal Officer Sebikari Samara said the team would return to Kisoro District next week to deliver official interdiction letters to officials whose interdiction had been ordered by the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, pending investigations.
Speaking to the media, Sebikari said the minister had ordered the arrest and interdiction of several district officials, including the Chief Administrative Officer, over alleged corruption.
He said investigation files had been opened and that the team would return with official letters from the Permanent Secretary to formally notify the affected officers, who would be required to hand over their offices.
Sebikari added that the three officials had been granted police bond after being interviewed, as the investigation process continued.
The team also received complaints from residents who had previously interacted with another SHACU team during earlier investigations.
Meanwhile, Bufumbira North Member of Parliament Fortunate Habyara Gatare said Minister Barugahara had left several residents with unresolved complaints concerning alleged corruption in the district.
Gatare urged residents to submit their complaints to the relevant authorities for investigation and resolution, saying this would support ongoing efforts to combat corruption.
The legislator further alleged that some civil servants had been forced to surrender their ATM cards to individuals linked to the District Service Commission to facilitate the sharing of their monthly salaries.
Gatare called on residents to cooperate with the relevant authorities in exposing and combating such practices.
