Buyende, Uganda: The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Buyende, Paul Kalikwani, has ordered a Local Council I chairperson in Kidera Town Council to refund Shs400,000 allegedly collected from residents under the guise of facilitating access to Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
The directive followed a heated stakeholders’ meeting held at Kabugudho Primary School on June 16, where residents, local leaders, and PDM officials traded accusations over alleged extortion, mismanagement, and irregularities in the implementation of the government’s flagship poverty alleviation programme.
At the centre of the controversy is Joseph Tumwebaze, the LCI Chairperson of Green Zone in Kabugudho Ward, who admitted collecting Shs20,000 from each of 20 residents, amounting to Shs400,000.
The money was allegedly collected as internet data facilitation fees for processing PDM beneficiaries.
One of the complainants, Grace Nabukalu, who also serves as the Women’s Affairs Chairperson on Tumwebaze’s executive committee, told the meeting that she personally handed over the money to the LCI chairperson.
“I would like to express my dismay that the matter concerning the money remains a source of distress to me up to now because this was hard-earned money, my dear,” Nabukalu said.
Tumwebaze acknowledged receiving the funds but claimed he was acting on instructions from PDM officials.
“Her statements are indeed accurate but for sure I was acting under the directive of the Community Development Officer and the Town Agent to mobilize collection of funds for mobile data internet, something I did and handed over money to them,” Tumwebaze said.
More Complaints Emerge
The meeting heard additional allegations of fraud and misuse of beneficiaries’ identities.
A resident, Tapenensi Tibyaze, alleged that an LC official identified only as Genze used her National Identity Card details to access PDM funds and later handed her just Shs60,000. She appealed to the RDC to intervene and ensure she recovers the remainder of the money.
Another resident, Alex Kasajja, who petitioned the RDC to investigate the matter, accused some local leaders of turning PDM into a breeding ground for corruption, favoritism and political patronage.
Kasajja alleged that some beneficiaries were selected based on political allegiance rather than genuine need. “PDM funds are often associated with bribery, corruption, nepotism and bureaucratic tendencies. These factors delay decision-making and force many people to abandon the process out of frustration,” he said.
The meeting exposed deep divisions among local leaders over who should bear responsibility for the alleged irregularities.
David Sembatya, the LCII Chairperson and Chairperson of the PDM Committee in Kabugudho Ward, accused Town Agent Steven Gwaidho of misleading residents about the status of PDM disbursements.
According to Sembatya, the misinformation has created mistrust and conflict among community members. He revealed that local leaders had already petitioned authorities seeking Gwaidho’s transfer.
“We have formally communicated to the relevant authorities requesting the immediate transfer of the town agent to ensure the smooth running of the programme,” Sembatya said.
Kidera Town Council Mayor Patrick Tezikuba also directed criticism at the town agent, alleging that some beneficiaries had been planted to access funds fraudulently before the money was allegedly recovered by middlemen.
Tezikuba further dismissed allegations that he personally received Shs6 million from the programme. “I am ready to face any legal process because I know I am not above the law,” he said.
The mayor also accused the town agent of diverting allowances intended for Parish Development Council members and vowed to pursue accountability.
However, Town Agent Steven Gwaidho rejected all allegations levelled against him. He maintained that he had acted within established procedures and under the guidance of his supervisors.
“I am obliged to follow directives from my supervisor, particularly the Town Clerk,” Gwaidho said.
He added that some residents who claimed not to have received PDM funds were already captured on beneficiary lists and promised to resolve outstanding concerns.
RDC Cracks Down
Addressing residents, RDC Kalikwani warned that government would not tolerate corruption and extortion in the implementation of the Parish Development Model.
He ordered Tumwebaze to immediately refund the Shs400,000 collected from residents and directed local authorities to provide comprehensive records of programme beneficiaries.
The RDC also tasked Kidera Town Council leadership with compiling a list of all PDM beneficiaries from the last two quarters for verification.
“I’ve observed that corruption, mismanagement, intimidation, bribery, patronage, extortion and continued existence of mismanagement of PDM vetting committees exists and I will prioritize intensifying mobilization of PDM set up to help the common man and those who fault guidelines will face the wrath of the law,” Kalikwani warned.
He further instructed the District Police Commander to trace two complainants, Francis Epyangu and Moses Bateganya, who reportedly failed to attend the meeting despite receiving payments before the engagement.
The Parish Development Model remains one of the government’s flagship wealth creation initiatives aimed at transitioning households from subsistence production to participation in the money economy.
However, the programme has in recent years faced allegations of corruption, ghost beneficiaries, political interference and extortion in several districts across the country.
The Buyende meeting spotlighted growing concerns over accountability and transparency in the implementation of PDM at grassroots level, with residents now demanding stricter oversight to ensure intended beneficiaries receive government support without exploitation.
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