Luweero NRM youth protesting
The Luweero district National Resistance Movement executive committee has suspended the district party administrative secretary Shafik Ntege over alleged embezzlement of Shs 27 million.
The money was meant to facilitate flag bearers in the recent village youths committee elections. The NRM district executive has also resolved to close the office until investigations are completed.
Ronald Ndawula the Luweero district NRM chairperson explains that according to acknowledgement receipt obtained from the party secretariat, Ntege received Shs 27,270,000 on August 16 to facilitate 606 party flag bearers in village youths committee elections. The elections were held on August 17.
Ndawula says that each flag bearer was supposed to receive Shs 45,000 but up to now none has ever received the money neither did he notify the district executive committee on the whereabouts of the money. Ndawula says that after failing to get answers from Ntege, they resolved to suspend him until investigations are completed in the matter.
Rogers Mulindwa the spokesperson of NRM secretariat confirmed that Ntege received the money to facilitate the village youths flag bearers and should be held accountable. Mulindwa advised the executive committee to open up a case against Ntege at the police for investigations and later notify the secretariat over the matter.
On Saturday, angry youths stormed district executive committee meeting at Luweero Diocese Guest House and tasked the members to pay their money or else they boycott the parish youths council elections planned for next week.
Hassan Ndawula the chairperson of Luweero Central zone says that they need the facilitation as approved by President Yoweri Museveni to enable them to mobilise for other upcoming elections. Other youths accused NRM party leaders of corruption and selfishness. When contacted Ntege promised to call back saying that he was in a meeting.
He however never called back. This is not the first time NRM officials in Luweero have been accused of embezzling funds meant for allowances of chairpersons and flag bearers.
In 2015, more than 100 NRM village chairpersons and supporters besieged the Luweero district party offices protesting against alleged embezzlement of their allowances.
They accused Zirobwe sub-county NRM officials of forging their signatures and embezzling over Shs 15 million that was disbursed by NRM to cater for their allowances in village meetings and mobilization.
NRM director of communication Emmanuel Dombo said similar embezzlement allegations have been raised in Busoga region, Buikwe and some officials have been arrested because the party needed to send a clear signal that corruption will not be tolerated within the party.
