Recently The president of the republic of Uganda issued s strong warning against theft and misappropriation of money meant for the Parish Development Model (PDM) during his regional tours. He called upon law enforcement bodies to act swiftly against offenders in this government project.
2. Uganda Police Force has so far prehended thirteen (13) person for various offence in relation to PDM funds in Serere, Amudat and Moroto district.
3. In Serere, police registered theft of PDM money in the in Kadungulu Sub County.
4. In the Financial Year of 2022/2023, PDM money was disbursed to IRUKOR PDM SACCO and KABULABULA-KADUNGULU PDM SACCO. During inspection, a team from PDM Secretariat unearthed a number of irregularities.
5. This prompted Police to apprehend eight (08) persons to open investigations against them in respect accordingly who include:
a. Mr Eluru Sam, LC3 Chairperson of Kadungulu Sub County
b. Mr Okongo Jane Ismael
c. Mr Oima John Micheal,
d. Mr Ogwang James, Parish Chief of Kabulabula Parish, Kadungulu Sub
e. Mr Obeke James, LC2 Chairperson of Kabulabula Parish
f. Mr Eyobu Simon, Chairperson of Iruko PDM SACCO
g. Mr Oyunai Bosco, Chairperson of Kabulabula-Kadungulu PDM SACCO
h. Mr Ekou Julius one of the beneficiaries.
6. In their preliminary finding;
a. There are people whose national identity cards were used to register for PDM benefits without their knowledge. Money was paid and those persons were surprised to see their names on lists of beneficiaries yet they never received any money.
b. Some persons and their wives got money yet the money was meant for one person per household.
c. There was a civil servant who benefited from the fund whereas he was not entitled.
There were beneficiaries who didn’t belong to the parishes that had been allocated money.
On November 21, 2024 in Amudat, police and other security agencies interested themselves into the PDM funds and found that the Parish Chiefs of Lokales in Amudat allegedly deleted names deserving beneficiaries and replaced them with those that are not eligible for the fund.
Police apprehended four (04) suspects in line with the investigations.
On November 18, 2024, police in Moroto received a report from Ateko Teresa, an 84-year-old resident of Natumkasikou Village in Rupa Sub County, Moroto District.
The complaint alleges that Moru Joyce, a 52-year-old Treasurer of a SACCO, exploited the victim’s advanced age to deceive her into applying for PDM funds. Joyce is accused of taking the victim for SIM card registration and filling out PDM forms in the victim’s name.
Although money was disbursed to the victim, the suspect allegedly withdrew one million shillings (Ugx 1,000,000) and only provided the victim with one hundred thousand shillings (Ugx 100,000), returning her national identification card without disclosing the origin of the funds she gave.
Joyce appeared before Moroto magistrates court on November 22, 2024 and was remanded to Moroto government prisons.
ACP KITUUMA RUSOKE
PRO-UPF
