Bukoba — HUNDREDS of Muleba district residents on Friday staged a peaceful demonstration heading to the office of the District Commissioner calling for summary dismissal of several Heads of departments at Muleba District Council, accused of embezzlement of millions of taxpayers' money.

This follows a report by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) which indicated that a colossal amount of cash meant for development projects had been swindled by corrupt officials. According to the CAG report, the projects include water, roads and other development projects.

Muleba residents lifted up placards calling for resignation of the District Executive Director (DED), Ms Oliva Mvungi and other officials implicated in the scam. Kagera Regional Commissioner (RC) Fabian Massawe, who was also in Muleba at the time of procession, called for restraint assuring demonstrators that the matter was being investigated by a special committee formed by the government.

Meanwhile, over 3,000 residents from Kayojwe, Kyainoni, and Kihumulo villages in Bukoba Rural district have appealed for government intervention following a notice issued by an unnamed investor ordering them to vacate their villages by December 6, this year.

Kihumulo Village Chairman, Amir Kapela, said the village was registered in 1993 with a total of 536 hectares in its possession. The villages share borders with Mabale ranch. According to Mr Kapela, the issue was sensitive and should be handled with care by relevant authorities to avoid bloodshed.