Summary:
- President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently issued a stern warning against theft and misappropriation of funds intended for PDM during his regional tours.
KAMPALA: Police have so far apprehended 13 individuals for various offenses related to the mismanagement of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Serere, Amudat, and Moroto districts.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently issued a stern warning against theft and misappropriation of funds intended for PDM during his regional tours. He urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly against individuals sabotaging the government’s flagship project.
Mismanagement of PDM Funds in Serere
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kituuma Rusoke, the Uganda Police registered a case of theft of PDM funds in Kadungulu Sub-County, Serere District.
“In the financial year 2022/2023, funds were disbursed to Irukor PDM SACCO and Kabulabula-Kadungulu PDM SACCO. During an inspection, a team from the PDM Secretariat unearthed several irregularities,” said ACP Kituuma.
The irregularities prompted the police to arrest eight individuals, including: Eluru Sam, LC3 Chairperson of Kadungulu Sub-County, Okongo Jane Ismael, Oima John Michael, Ogwang James, Parish Chief of Kabulabula Parish, Kadungulu Sub-County, Obeke James, LC2 Chairperson of Kabulabula Parish, Eyobu Simon, Chairperson of Irukor PDM SACCO
Oyunai Bosco and Chairperson of Kabulabula-Kadungulu PDM SACCO
Ekou Julius, a beneficiary.
ACP Kituuma revealed that preliminary investigations uncovered cases where individuals’ national identification cards were used to register for PDM benefits without their knowledge. Funds were disbursed in their names, but the individuals did not receive any money.
He added that some households received funds for multiple members, despite the rule of one beneficiary per household. Additionally, ineligible civil servants and individuals outside the designated parishes were found to have benefited from the program.
On November 21, 2024, police and other security agencies investigated PDM funds in Amudat District. It was discovered that the Parish Chief of Lokales Parish allegedly deleted the names of deserving beneficiaries and replaced them with ineligible individuals.
In Moroto District, an 84-year-old resident of Natumkasikou Village in Rupa Sub-County reported being defrauded. On November 18, 2024, Ateko Teresa alleged that Moru Joyce, a 52-year-old SACCO treasurer, exploited her advanced age to apply for PDM funds on her behalf.
According to the complaint, Joyce registered Ateko for a SIM card and filled out PDM forms in her name. When the funds were disbursed, Joyce allegedly withdrew UGX 1,000,000 but gave Ateko only UGX 100,000. She returned Ateko’s national ID without explaining the origin of the money provided.
On November 22, 2024, Joyce was arraigned before the Moroto Magistrate’s Court and remanded to Moroto Government Prison.
Police continues to investigate these cases to recover misappropriated funds and ensure justice is served. The government has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, particularly in projects aimed at uplifting vulnerable communities.
