NIRA official refunds extorted money

KABALE - The National Identification and Regulation Authority (NIRA) information technology officer-in-charge of Butanda Sub County in Kabale district, Simon Twasiima has refunded sh3.65m which he had extorted from the locals.

Twasiima was arrested on April 25, 2019, on orders of the deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Gad Rugaju Ahimbisibwe after 360 locals testified that Twasiima charged them money before issuing their national identity cards and registering fresh applicants or rectifying errors on their identity cards. 

He was charging between sh7,500 and sh10,000.

While refunding the money at Butanda sub-county headquarters on Tuesday, Rugaju said he could not allow Twasiima to turn a government programme into a business yet it was free of charge.

Rugaju added that after repaying back the money, Twasiima was released on a police bond.

"I want to sound a strong warning to any official who would wish to venture in practices like this one. You will not survive us this time round," said Rugaju.

The Butanda sub-county district councilor, Eric Tumwesigye Kigunzu commended Rugaju noting that many individuals had shunned the exercise due to lack of money to pay to Twasiima. 

He added that Twasiima should be punished since what he was doing denies the residents from accessing a government programme.

"He deserves a bigger punishment so that he becomes a great example that will deter other officials from trying out the same practice," said Twasiima.

Yowasi Tibirinyeba, a resident of Mutungwe village in Nyamiryango parish commended Rugaju's intervention which became a ray of hope for them.