Zombo District, Uganda: The Government has ordered fresh elections for all Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO leaders in Zombo District, in a sweeping move aimed at restoring transparency and accountability in the implementation of the poverty alleviation programme.
The directive, issued in a March 17, 2026 circular by the National PDM Coordinator, instructs the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to organise Annual General Meetings across all 61 PDM SACCOs in the district.
The meetings will review existing governance structures, fill vacant committee positions, and elect new leadership.
Dr. Walter Kumakech, Zombo District Production Officer and PDM Focal Person, said the directive aligns with the Cooperative Societies Act and national PDM guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
“We received a circular directing the CAO to facilitate fresh elections. All your terms of office have expired, but you are eligible for re-election,” Kumakech told parish chiefs and SACCO leaders during a stakeholder meeting.
He added that UGX 250,000 allocated under quarterly facilitation funds will be used to support the election process.
The directive comes amid growing scrutiny of PDM SACCO operations in Zombo, where beneficiaries have raised concerns over alleged extortion, manipulation of beneficiary lists, and mismanagement of funds.
District Commercial Officer Lamet Olum said all outgoing leaders will undergo mandatory audits following the elections.
“After elections, we are going to conduct audits. Ensure your records are in order because accountability is key. No one will run away from responsibility,” Olum warned.
Zombo Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua called for a transparent and peaceful electoral process, cautioning against revenge politics.
“We need leaders who are development-oriented and committed to serving the community. Let the process be fair and transparent,” he said.
Deputy CAO Samson Nsamba urged parish chiefs to take the programme seriously to help transition households from subsistence to the money economy.
The decision has been widely welcomed by residents, many of whom say the programme had lost credibility due to poor leadership. “This is long overdue. I was frustrated by the current leaders and almost gave up on PDM,” said Sifa Agenumungu, a resident of Paidha Town Council.
Jerose Ayenyunga described the directive as “a dream come true,” urging authorities to fast-track the elections. Others expressed hope that new leaders will restore fairness and improve access to funds.
Zombo District has received a total of UGX 21.7 billion under the PDM programme over the past five financial years, distributed across 61 SACCOs. As of December 2025, 15,533 beneficiaries, including 8,138 men and 7,395 women, had been supported.
According to district data, 89% of beneficiaries are engaged in key enterprises such as Irish potato farming, piggery, beans, coffee, horticulture, and poultry.
However, challenges persist, including low loan recovery rates, staffing gaps at parish level, and data inconsistencies caused by migration, deaths, and missing documentation.
Launched in February 2022, the Parish Development Model is a seven-pillar government strategy aimed at transitioning households from subsistence farming to the money economy.
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