The Koboko Chief Magistrates Court has convicted and sentenced John Taban Moro, a Parish Chief, to six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to theft of funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
In addition to the custodial sentence, Taban was ordered to refund the stolen funds, which he complied with. The court also issued a stern warning to all civil servants, emphasizing the serious consequences of misappropriating funds intended for poverty eradication initiatives.
Taban’s arrest and prosecution followed a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). Investigators found that while serving in Leku Parish, Drania Sub-county, Koboko District, Taban diverted millions of shillings meant for the PDM and made unauthorized payments to close family members, including his father, brothers, and sister-in-law.
His actions were in direct contravention of the PDM guidelines, which bar civil servants and members of the same household from benefiting from the program’s funds.
