Kibuku, Uganda: A group of 47 disgruntled residents from Bubulanga Parish in Kibuku District stormed the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) on Wednesday, protesting the delayed disbursement of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, which they say have been unfairly withheld.
The demonstrators, led by Parish Councillor Hon. Wasiri Baziliyo, accused the Bubulanga Kituti PDM SACCO chairperson, Babirye Lydia, and her team of mismanagement, nepotism, and corruption.
They claim that only three beneficiaries, all allegedly relatives of local officials, received money from the Shs50 million allocated to the SACCO, leaving the rest empty-handed despite meeting all requirements.
“We have done everything we were asked to do, yet we are still waiting for our money,” said Hon. Wasiri. “We are tired of making demands that go unanswered. That’s why we came to the RDC’s office to seek help.”
Residents further alleged that members of the Parish Development Committee (PDC) demanded bribes ranging between Shs30,000 and Shs50,000 to include names in the PDM system.
“It feels like we are being exploited. We paid to have our names added, and now we are left in the dark,” one disgruntled beneficiary lamented.
In her defense, SACCO Chairperson Babirye Lydia admitted the delays but attributed them to personal issues, saying her sister’s prolonged illness had disrupted the disbursement process. “I apologise for the inconvenience. I assure all members that their funds will be released before the close of business on Saturday,” Lydia told DailyExpress.
The Assistant RDC, Mbasa Luke, when contacted for a comment, immediately referred the matter to District Senior Commercial Officer Mukama Willy Kasolo, who promised to fast-track the process.
“We understand your frustrations,” Kasolo said. “I have already contacted the PDC to expedite approval, and your money will be disbursed within the week.”
The protest comes as Kibuku carries symbolic weight in the PDM’s rollout, which was launched by the President himself at Kibuku Primary School grounds in August 2022, promising it would lift rural communities out of poverty. For many in Bubulanga, the delays now threaten that very trust.
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