Authorities in Kumi District have arrested three individuals for allegedly extorting money from residents under the guise of the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme.
The suspects include Julius Isudo, the SACCO chairperson; Joseph Ojangole, the secretary; and Sarah Amuge, the treasurer.
The arrests were made by James Kyomya, the deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kumi, during a general meeting at the Mukongoro Subcounty Local Government Headquarters.
The meeting, attended by local leaders and residents, was convened to address complaints of corruption and mismanagement of PDM funds.
Kyomya demanded accountability from the suspects, directing them to refund the money collected from residents in the name of facilitating PDM processes.
“These individuals must give a clear account of their actions. The Parish Development Model is a government initiative meant to empower communities, not a tool for exploitation. Those found guilty will face the law,” Kyomya said.
Ojangole, the secretary of Okudumo Parish, admitted that money collected from the community was shared among several individuals, including Local Council I (LCI) and Local Council II (LCII) leaders.
He expressed remorse and pledged to refund the money.
“I take responsibility for my actions and will ensure the affected individuals are compensated. We need to restore trust in our leadership,” Ojangole said.
Residents expressed anger and disappointment, urging stricter oversight of PDM processes.
“These leaders were supposed to guide us, but instead, they betrayed our trust. The government must ensure such incidents do not occur again,” one community member said.
The Parish Development Model, a government initiative to eradicate poverty and improve livelihoods at the parish level, has faced challenges, including allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
Kyomya reassured residents of his office’s commitment to ensuring accountability and protecting public resources.
“We urge the public to report any suspicious activities related to PDM. Together, we can make this program a success and hold those who misuse funds accountable,” Kyomya said.
Recently, President Museveni, during his wealth creation tour in the Teso sub-region, issued a stern warning to individuals misappropriating PDM funds.
Speaking in Soroti, the President demanded that implicated individuals refund the stolen money and face imprisonment, with no expectation of leniency through bail or police bond.
“Anyone who has misused PDM funds should refund the money, and after that, they must be jailed. There is no escaping accountability,” he said.
The President reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling corruption within the PDM initiative, emphasizing its role in empowering grassroots communities.
For funds affected by calamities, Museveni assured the public that the government would investigate and resolve the issues.
Investigations into the Kumi case are ongoing. The arrested individuals are expected to face charges in court soon, as the government continues its crackdown on corruption to ensure the success of the PDM programme.