Three youth leaders held over livelihood funds misuse

CRIME 

KAGADI - The Police in Kagadi are holding three youth group chairpersons for allegedly misusing Youth Livelihood Funds.

Romeo Ojara, the Kagadi district Police Commander, identified the suspects as;

Charles Kisembo Good year, the Chairperson of Kitema Youth Piggery Project in Kyenzige sub-county, who swindled sh10m, John Akugizibwe, the Chairperson of Rwenjobe Maize and Sugar cane project in Pacwa sub-county who misused sh7m and Peter Phillip of Bugwara Boda-boda Project in Kiryanga sub-county who also embezzled sh7m for the financial year 2015/16.

‘'We want these youth leaders to pay back the swindled money for youth groups. It is a revolving fund supposed to be used by other youth groups' members. If they fail to pay back this money, we shall take them to court expeditiously.'' he said.

Steven Banakora, the Kagadi district youth livelihood focal person said the three youth group chairpersons were arrested on Monday on orders of Kagadi Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Lilian Ruteraho during a routine monitoring of youth  projects in 19 sub-counties including town councils of Kagadi district.

They include; Mabale, Pacwa, Rugashali, Muhorro, Mpefu, Kagadi, Kiryanga, Bwikara, Burora, Kyakabadima, Ndaiga, Kyanaisoke, Kyaterekera, Kyenzige, Kabamba, among others.

Banakora said, he is committed to eliminating the habit youth leaders taking advantage of their positions to swindle youth funds. He promised to continue with the operation to wipe out corrupt and dishonest youth leaders.

‘'I was reliably informed about errant youth leaders who adamantly refused to pay back the youth loan and swiftly swung into action with Police and Resident District Commissioner Lillian Ruteraho to pick them from their hide-outs.'' he said.

They are currently detained at Kagadi police station as investigations into the matter continue. I will make sure they reimburse the swindled money.'' he added.

Lillian Ruteraho the Kagadi Resident District Commissioner said she has been receiving reports about the misuse of youth funds from district youth livelihood focal person, Steven Banakora and that she cannot sit back and watch government funds disappearing in the hands of individuals  without arrest of such culprits.

‘'I will not sympathize with anybody in regard to revolving government funds. I want authentic reports about these youth leaders and I expeditiously take action. Youth funds must benefit other group members and not single persons.'' she said.

The accused leaders asked to be given time to present accountability of the used funds. They said part of the money had been paid back through Centenary bank and were planning to clear the remaining balance.

Charles Kisembo, the youth chairperson of Kitema Youth Piggery Project, who is also a prominent farmer in Kagadi district said as a specialist in farming he has been sensitizing farmers on value addition, commercial farming and promoting Agricultural modernization.

He thus asked to be paid for the work well done.

‘'I have been working on behalf of government, sensitizing youth and farmers on commercial farming. I want also to be paid by government for work well done'', he said.

Peter Phillip, the youth chairperson of Bugwara Youth Project revealed plans to clear some of the funds and asked for some time to sort himself.

John Akugizibwe, the chairperson of Rwenjobe Youth Project said he wanted time to present accountability for the used money.