Kamuli, Uganda: Government officials implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Kamuli District have been warned to uphold integrity, transparency and accountability or risk dismissal from public service and possible prosecution.
The warning was issued by Kamuli Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Ben Lawrence Marley during a District PDM Establishment, Stabilisation and Sustainability meeting held at Maxwell Kuwembula Hall in Kamuli.
Marley cautioned parish chiefs, Community Development Officers (CDOs) and other programme implementers against engaging in corruption, extortion and misuse of government resources, saying the government has intensified efforts to ensure PDM achieves its intended objective of transforming household incomes.
He noted that newly appointed Local Government Ministers Balaam Barugahara and Justine Nameere have expressed commitment to fighting corruption, addressing governance challenges and strengthening accountability in the implementation of government programmes at the grassroots.
“With the new leadership, there is renewed commitment to eliminating corruption, fighting injustices and ensuring grassroots government programmes like PDM function effectively. You are therefore the target. Steer clear of any controversies by being transparent in your work,” Marley said.
Warning Against Corruption
The CAO said one of the measures being considered is restructuring and refreshing some PDM leadership structures where officials have been implicated in corrupt practices.
According to Marley, the move is intended to restore public confidence and strengthen programme implementation.
“Live above suspicion, create positive relationships, be visible and be accountable for your positions. PDM is a big test and you should not burn your fingers and invite public condemnation because we shall not hesitate to take action,” he warned.
Marley also revealed that the district intends to adopt the Baraza approach, a community engagement model designed to bring government services closer to the people through direct interaction and dialogue.
He said the initiative will provide residents with an opportunity to raise concerns, seek clarification and monitor the implementation of government programmes. “We are going to take civil servants closer to the people. Work hard, give accountability and you will see promotion come your way based on merit and public recommendation,” he said.
RDC Warns Against Extortion
Kamuli Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Rose Birungi challenged PDM implementers to prioritise service delivery and ensure government programmes benefit intended recipients.
Birungi warned that district leaders would intensify monitoring and supervision of PDM activities to eliminate corruption and improve loan recovery.
“Take it from us, this is going to be hot. We shall be on your heels ensuring all government programmes take root and get entrenched. Go and clean up governance, put in place strategies for loan recovery and always provide feedback,” she said.
The RDC specifically cautioned against allegations of extortion involving some parish chiefs, Community Development Officers and members of vetting committees. “There will be no more leniency on issues of extortion and abuse of office,” Birungi warned.
Some parish chiefs and Community Development Officers used the meeting to defend their performance, arguing that political activities during the election period complicated implementation of the programme.
They claimed that some politicians politicised PDM by influencing beneficiary selection processes and introducing campaign agents into programme structures.
However, they expressed optimism that implementation would improve now that the election period has ended.
The Parish Development Model remains one of government’s flagship poverty eradication programmes aimed at moving households from subsistence production into the money economy through direct financial support and enterprise development.
Government has repeatedly warned officials against interfering with beneficiary selection, extorting money from applicants or diverting programme funds intended for communities.
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