SP Nelson Tumushime, the Rwenzori East police spokesperson says the suspect together with other still at large are not benefiting from police bond as directed by the president.
Police in Kasese District have confirmed that Simon Kasereka, the District Commercial Officer, remains in custody, dismissing reports of his release as false. Kasereka was arrested last week on the orders of State House officials who were in the district to monitor the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program. He is accused of mismanaging UGX 150 million meant for the program.
Over the past week, reports circulated on social media claiming that Kasereka had been released following the alleged intervention of his brother. However, police have described these claims as baseless. Speaking to the media, Rwenzori East Police Spokesperson SP Nelson Tumushime confirmed that Kasereka is still in detention and will not benefit from police bond, in line with a presidential directive.
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Tumushime added that other suspects connected to the case are still at large and are being pursued by law enforcement agencies. In 2024, President Yoweri Museveni issued a directive to Regional Police Commanders (RPCs) prohibiting the issuance of police bonds to individuals accused of embezzling PDM funds.
The president emphasized the need to safeguard the integrity and purpose of the program. While on a PDM monitoring tour of the Rwenzori and Tooro sub-regions, Museveni revealed that he had discussed with the Chief Justice the possibility of denying bail to suspects implicated in PDM-related scandals, including theft of livestock procured under the program.
Basaija is a graduate of Uganda Christian University (UCU-Mukono) holding a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication.
He is a currently pursuing a fellowship in Gender Communications at Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications Nairobi, Kenya and expected to graduate in 2025.
He also boosts of numerous training's in the journalism arena.
Before joining URN, he had served as documentation support personnel, radio presenter and a news editor.
