Amuria, Uganda: Four local government officials in Amuria District have been remanded to prison over allegations of defrauding beneficiaries of the government’s ongoing cattle compensation and Parish Development Model (PDM) programmes, as district authorities intensify a crackdown on corruption targeting poverty alleviation initiatives.
The suspects include Okello Simon, the Parish Chief of Obur Parish, Opio James Ediru, LC1 Chairperson of Alomain Village, Esingu Daniel, LC1 Chairperson of Obur Village, and Odeke Samuel, Chairperson of the Obur Parish PDM SACCO.
According to Amuria Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Paul Eseru, the first three suspects are accused of defrauding beneficiaries under the government’s cattle restocking and compensation programme of approximately Shs6.5 million, while Odeke is separately accused of stealing Shs1 million belonging to PDM beneficiary Asio Jane.
The suspects were remanded on Friday as investigations continue.
The arrests come amid an ongoing government cattle compensation exercise across the Teso sub-region, where thousands of households that lost livestock during years of insecurity and cattle raids are receiving compensation and restocking support.
Speaking after the court proceedings, RDC Eseru said district authorities had become increasingly concerned about widespread complaints of extortion, theft and abuse of office by local leaders entrusted with implementing government programmes.
“As district authorities, we are so much concerned with the manner in which this programme is being strangled by local leaders, especially at the LC1, LC2 and Parish Chief levels,” Eseru said.
He revealed that his office had received numerous complaints involving mismanagement of funds, extortion of beneficiaries and outright theft.
According to Eseru, investigations in Obur Parish uncovered a case in which the Parish Chief and an LC1 chairperson allegedly withdrew Shs4.7 million from a beneficiary’s account instead of the full Shs5 million, before handing over only about Shs3 million and retaining roughly Shs1 million.
“Instead of giving the beneficiary all his money, they went ahead and gave him little money. They retained another Shs1 million. I saw this as distorting the intention of the programme and defrauding the beneficiary,” he said.
The RDC immediately directed police to investigate the matter, leading to the suspects’ arrest and subsequent remand.
In another case, Eseru said an LC1 chairperson allegedly withdrew funds belonging to another beneficiary but handed over only Shs1 million, falsely claiming the remainder had been used by the beneficiary’s wife to purchase cattle.
When the complainant rejected the explanation after receiving only a few small animals, the matter was reported to the RDC’s office for investigation.
Separately, PDM SACCO Chairperson Odeke Samuel is accused of withdrawing Shs1 million belonging to beneficiary Asio Jane in 2023 before allegedly withholding the money for three years despite repeated demands.
“He has been threatening this lady and refusing to pay the money for the last three years. We instructed police to investigate, and he has also been remanded,” Eseru said.
The RDC warned that the four cases represent only a fraction of complaints being received from communities across Amuria District.
To strengthen accountability, Eseru announced that his office has established a dedicated complaints desk where residents can report corruption, extortion and other irregularities involving government programmes.
“As security, we have decided to step up our efforts. We have opened a desk at the RDC’s office to receive complaints. Once investigations establish wrongdoing, we shall instruct police to investigate further and bring the culprits to book,” he said.
The government has repeatedly warned public officials against exploiting beneficiaries of programmes such as the Parish Development Model and the ongoing cattle compensation exercise, insisting that all government funds are intended to directly improve household incomes and restore livelihoods without illegal deductions or extortion.
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