Several members of the Namisindwa District Executive Committee (DEC) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have been arrested over the alleged misuse of funds meant for parish mobilisation conferences.
Those arrested include Vice Chairperson Charles Nasimolo, Finance Secretary Kimaku Cyrus, and General Secretary Mukisa John. The trio was arrested on the orders of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Elijah Madoi, following a tense security meeting.
The arrests followed widespread demonstrations by NRM members from six sub-counties: Bupoto, Namisindwa Town Council, Namabya, Mukhuyu, Bumbo, and Lwakhakha Town Council. The members protested after receiving UGX 300,000 per village instead of the UGX 620,000 transport refund allocated for participants attending the parish conferences.
NRM members from the affected sub-counties stormed the district headquarters demanding explanations as to why they had received less money than stipulated. This prompted the RDC to convene a meeting between security officials and DEC members on Wednesday morning.
According to RDC Madoi, the problem arose due to two conflicting circulars issued by the party secretariat. However, he noted that part of the funds had been misused by some members of the teams tasked with delivering the money. He emphasized that the funds were intended to mobilize support for President Yoweri Museveni and all NRM flag bearers, and that all flag bearers are expected to attend the parish conferences to mobilize support.
Before being taken to the police, Finance Secretary Kimaku Cyrus stated that the balance of the funds was left with the NRM sub-county chairpersons in the six affected sub-counties and promised to follow up on the recovery.
The Namisindwa NRM LC5 Flag Bearer, Mr. Emma Bwayo, who pushed for the recovery of the funds, said the incident had given opponents an opportunity to accuse NRM flag bearers unfairly. He stressed that the money was meant to facilitate flag bearers in mobilisation efforts and urged security agencies to arrest anyone involved in the misuse of the funds and ensure the money reaches its intended beneficiaries. He also called upon village NRM chairpersons to be transparent, noting that many had been accused of taking the lion’s share.
Meanwhile, the Namisindwa NRM District Chairperson, Mr. Aramazan Wabuko, confirmed the arrest of the DEC members and the recovery of nearly UGX 14 million. He added that the disbursement of the remaining balance to the six sub-counties began on Wednesday afternoon.
By Press time, the trio were still held at Namisindwa CPS recording statements.
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