Masindi: Members of the Western Ward Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO in Central Division, Masindi Municipality, have removed their chairman, Rashid Kasaija, due to extortion allegations, and elected new executive committee members.

Kasaija and others were removed following elections presided over by Monica Tibemanya, the Masindi municipal council commercial officer, at the annual general meeting held on July 26, 2024, at Central Division headquarters in Kihande 1.

Members replaced Kasaija with Murshid Abigaba as chairperson, assisted by Joan Asiimwe, Sylvia Ganjana as general secretary, and Egesa Night Sylvia as treasurer. Other committee members include Vincent Mugoya, the only member who has held his position; Godfrey Amaku, who represents the youth; Fred Mbogo, who represents the elderly; Sayuni Nkulabirawo, who represents people with disabilities; and Gladys Facan, who represents women.

Rashid Kasaija departed the meeting early after being dropped in expectation of the election results, as he was refused the chance to run again due to his soiled reputation.

Monica Tibemanya, the Masindi municipal commercial officer, stated that elections were held before the outgoing executive committee members’ terms of duty expired because to the enormous number of complaints against the Kasaija over extortion.

Murshid Abigaba, the incoming chairwoman, committed to work with other committee members and stakeholders to ensure that PDM is implemented in accordance with existing norms.

Isaac Bongomin, LCIII chairman for the Central Division, was certain that the new executive committee members will not make the same mistakes as their predecessors.

Patrick Alinaitwe, the LCII chairman for Western Ward who also serves as the chairman of the parish development committee, urged the incoming executive committee members not to extort money from those wishing to profit from the parish development initiative.