Summary:
- Minister Musasizi reported that there have been allegations of fraud and mismanagement in several districts, including Bushenyi and Sembabule.
RUBANDA: State Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi has instructed District Security Officials to investigate cases of alleged fraud and mismanagement within the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Minister Musasizi, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Rubanda East and the NRM Chairperson for Rubanda District, made this announcement on Saturday during the opening ceremony of the newly constructed Bulimbe Catholic Church in Ikumba Sub County, Rubanda District.
The PDM program was established by the government to improve the living standards of the 39% of Ugandans still engaged in subsistence agriculture.
To date, the government has invested trillions of shillings in the program. However, Minister Musasizi reported that there have been allegations of fraud and mismanagement in several districts, including Bushenyi and Sembabule.
He highlighted concerns about beneficiaries facing extortion from officials responsible for managing the PDM program.
“I recently visited Bushenyi and discovered that some PDM funds were allocated to non-existent beneficiaries. I have also heard reports of authorities demanding bribes from PDM beneficiaries, including here in Greater Kabale. This must stop,” Musasizi stated, announcing that he has tasked security officials with investigating these allegations.
Musasizi also expressed concern that some recipients of PDM loans have not demonstrated any tangible results from the support they received. He urged Commercial Officers, Parish Chiefs, and other PDM officials to provide guidance to beneficiaries and ensure regular performance evaluations.
The Minister revealed that up to Ug. Shs. 13 billion has been allocated to Rubanda District for the PDM over the past two financial years.
In a different note, Musasizi praised the Christians of Bulimbe Catholic Church for their collective effort in constructing a magnificent church, which he described as the second largest and most beautiful after Rubanda Catholic Parish Church, also in Ikumba Subcounty.
He extended special thanks to prominent businessmen and the sons of the late Peter Kamunyu Posiano, Akamwesi, and Willy Byandusya for their significant financial contributions to the church’s construction.
In his homily, Kabale Diocese Bishop, Rt Rev Callist Rubaramira, who presided over the event, urged the congregation to use the newly commissioned church for its intended holy purposes.
“Do not use this building for unholy activities but rather for its rightful purpose, which is to glorify God,” he said.
