Kampala — NRM cadres in the north have been warned against extorting money from parents on the pretext that they would secure their children State House scholarships.

Addressing journalists at Acholi Inn in Gulu last week, Richard Todwong, the senior presidential adviser for the north, said: "I have received complaints from about four elderly women that some NRM cadres are soliciting for money from them in order for their children to secure State House scholarships.

Two women reported that a cadre took bribes of sh700,000 and sh500,000 from them promising them State House scholarships for their children."

Todwong stressed that State House scholarships were free. "In any case, there are no scholarships being given out now. State House gave out scholarships to the victims of the LRA insurgency, children of traditional chiefs, fallen comrades and orphans," he said.

He added that they would investigate the extortion claims.