Kampala, (UG):- At least thirteen (13) individuals have so far been arrested over the alleged mismanagement of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, days after President Museveni sounded a directive to apprehend abusers of the government programme.
During his recent wealth creation in Bukedi and Teso Region, the President warned against theft and misappropriation of money meant for the Parish Development Model (PDM) and called upon law enforcement bodies to act swiftly against offenders in this government project.
Now in the latest development on the warning, Police Monday said authorities in respective policing regions across the country have embarked on implementing the Presidential directive resulting in several arrests for the alleged offences.
While addressing journalists on Monday at Naguru headquarters, Police Spokesperson, ACP Kituuma said in one particular case in Serere, the alleged theft of PDM funds was registered in Kadungulu Sub County where Irukor Sacco and Kabulabula-Kadungulu PDM Saccos had a number of irregularities leading to the arrest of 8 individuals.
“In the Financial Year of 2022/2023, PDM money was disbursed to IRUKOR PDM SACCO and KABULABULA-KADUNGULU PDM SACCO. During the inspection, a team from the PDM Secretariat unearthed a number of irregularities. This prompted Police to apprehend eight (08) persons to open investigations against them in respect accordingly,” ACP Kituuma stated.
The apprehended individuals include; Eluru Sam, LC3 Chairperson of Kadungulu Sub County, Okongo Jane Ismael, Oima John Micheal, Ogwang James, Parish Chief of Kabulabula Parish, Kadungulu Sub County, Obeke James, LC2 Chairperson of Kabulabula Parish, Eyobu Simon, Chairperson of Iruko PDM SACCO, Oyunai Bosco, Chairperson of Kabulabula-Kadungulu PDM SACCO and Ekou Julius one of the beneficiaries.
Preliminary findings by police discovered that the Saccos had members whose national identity cards were used to register for PDM benefits without their knowledge.
“Money was paid and those persons were surprised to see their names on lists of beneficiaries yet they never received any money,” Kituuma expressed, adding that in other cases, “some persons and their wives got money yet the money was meant for one person per household.”
Additionally, there was a civil servant who benefited from the fund whereas he was not entitled and others included beneficiaries who didn’t belong to the parishes that had been allocated money.
Relatedly, The Territorial Police in Amudat carried out an operation on November 21, 2024, when it was discovered that the Parish Chiefs of Lokales in Amudat allegedly deleted names of deserving beneficiaries and replaced them with those that are not eligible for the fund. Here, police apprehended four (04) suspects in line with the investigations.
In Moroto District, the territorial police on November 18, 2024, received a report from Ateko Teresa, an 84-year-old resident of Natumkasikou Village in Rupa Sub County, Moroto District which led to the arrest of SACCO treasurer for extortion.
“The complaint alleged that Moru Joyce, a 52-year-old Treasurer of a SACCO, exploited the victim’s advanced age to deceive her into applying for PDM funds. Joyce is accused of taking the victim for SIM card registration and filling out PDM forms in the victim’s name,” Kituuma stated.
Although money was disbursed to the victim, the suspect allegedly withdrew one million shillings (Ugx 1,000,000) and only provided the victim with one hundred thousand shillings (Ugx 100,000), returning her national identification card without disclosing the origin of the funds she gave.
Joyce appeared before Moroto magistrates court on November 22, 2024, and was remanded to Moroto government prisons.
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