Kalaki, Uganda: Three leaders attached to a Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO in Kalaki District have been charged before court over allegations of extorting money from hundreds of beneficiaries under the government poverty alleviation programme.
The accused, who were arraigned Tuesday before the Kaberamaido Magistrates Court, include Olingo Joseph, the Parish Chief of Okungure Parish in Kakure Sub-County, Edwonu James, the Chairperson of the Opungure-Kakure PDM SACCO, and Ocepa Josphat, the SACCO secretary.
The trio was jointly arraigned by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on charges of obtaining money by false pretences and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Court heard that the suspects, together with others still at large, allegedly solicited and obtained money from hundreds of residents in Opungure Parish during 2024 by falsely promising to include their names among beneficiaries eligible to receive support under the Parish Development Model initiative.
Prosecution alleges that the accused convinced vulnerable residents that payment was necessary for their names to be considered for financial support from the Opungure-Kakure PDM SACCO, yet the promises were allegedly fraudulent.
The accused were remanded until June 16, 2026, as investigations continue.
The latest case adds to a growing list of corruption and extortion allegations emerging from implementation structures of the Parish Development Model, a flagship government programme aimed at lifting households from subsistence to the money economy through parish-level financial empowerment.
Authorities have in recent months intensified crackdowns on public officials and SACCO leaders accused of exploiting beneficiaries, illegally demanding facilitation fees, or diverting funds meant for vulnerable communities.
According to anti-corruption agencies, many victims of such schemes are often poor rural residents desperate to access government support programmes and therefore easily manipulated by local officials and SACCO administrators.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit has repeatedly warned public servants against turning poverty alleviation programmes into extortion schemes, saying offenders will face prosecution regardless of rank or position.
The case is expected to reignite public scrutiny over accountability and transparency in the management of PDM funds across local government structures.
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