Kiryandongo PDM data collectors cry foul over unpaid arrears for 2022 work

Kiryandongo, Uganda: A section of Parish Development Model (PDM) data collectors in Kiryandongo District have petitioned the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate what they termed as “failed payments” for work done in 2022.

The collectors, who were recruited to gather household data for the PDM rollout, claim they were promised a token of UGX 168,000 each, plus a daily allowance of UGX 10,000 for two weeks, upon completion of their assignments. However, three years later, they say no payment has been made, and their repeated pleas to local leaders have been ignored.

Razaki Aliyas, a resident of Diika village, said they were issued appointment letters signed by then Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Jacan Gwokto, copied to the RDC and LC5 chairperson, which clearly indicated their entitlements. “We have been patient enough, but since they failed to pay us, we are laying strategies to demonstrate. We shall write to the RDC to notify him,” Razaki said.

Another collector, Isaac Kinyera, a boda boda rider from Karagalya 2, accused the district of exploiting their labor. He revealed he had to hire a smartphone to carry out the assignment. “Why did they recruit data collectors if they cannot pay? We are even ready to write to the President’s office if the Anti-Corruption Unit does not act,” he said.

Warom Emmanuel, also a data collector, said over 100 youths were employed during the exercise but were left in the cold despite meeting strict reporting deadlines. “For the past three years, no information about our payment has ever featured in the district budget conference. It is our time to show them we are also human,” he noted.

Efforts to reach the production and commercial officer, Mr. Byenkya Issa, were unsuccessful, while the current CAO, Mr. Anselm Kyaligonza, was reportedly out of office by press time on Monday.