By KT Reporter
The Police in Nakaseke has created a special desk to investigate and expedite the prosecution of officials accused of extorting money from beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model programme.
In February 2022, President Yoweri Museveni launched the Parish Development Model, a program meant to eradicate poverty by executing development activities in parishes. Since then the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has released 7.8 billion shillings to 77 parish SACCO accounts in Nakaseke district.
However, several complaints have emerged from beneficiaries and local leaders that the programme has been marred by extortion.
The beneficiaries claim they have been given less than one million shillings which is against the President’s directive. Others have also been ordered by SACCO chairpersons, Parish Chiefs and Community Development Officers to pay bribes before their applications are approved.
Sarah Nakalungi the Nakaseke District Chief Administrative Officer said that to restore sanity in the programme, the District authorities resolved to ask the Police to set up a special desk at Butalangu Central Police Station to investigate the complaints and expedite the prosecution of the officers behind the corruption.
Nakalungi said that so far four PDM SACCO leaders have been arrested over extortion. Nakalungi added that Denis Katabalwa, the Community Development Officer for Kito sub-county and Fazil Jjumba the Community Development officer for Kikamulo Sub-county will also soon face the desk to defend themselves over corruption allegations.
She said that she had received several complaints from the public that officials have been extorting money from beneficiaries in PDM, Emyooga, UWEP and other government programs.
Nakalungi has also ordered all PDM SACCO committees to submit to her offices not later than January 15th, 2025 the meeting minutes which sat and approved the disbursement of money to beneficiaries after reports that funds were disbursed without following the procedure.
Apart from allegedly extorting money from PDM beneficiaries, Katabalwa is also implicating in soliciting 200,000-400,000 shillings from 25 women groups to process their loan applications in the UWEP programme.
Francis Katimbo Nalumonso the District Councilor for Kito Sub-county said that due to the extortion allegations, the PDM and other programmes are yet to create an impact among the residents.
Nalumonso said that some PDM SACCO leaders were disbursing money to friends and family members whereas others ask huge kickbacks before approving the loan applications.
Gideon Byomuhangi the Nakaseke District Police Commander confirmed the creation of the desk and that whoever was named in misuse of PDM will be arrested.
Among those arrested were the four leaders of Kisoga PDM SACCO who were accused of extorting money from the members. The accused will celebrate Christmas in Wakyato prison after they are remanded by the magistrate.
Rose Byabasaija the Nakaseke Resident District Commissioner says that they have also resolved to ensure that those arrested are charged and remanded without bond or bail as per directive of the President.
“We don’t want any official or PDM SACCO leader to sabotage PDM. So all those arrested now will not get bond or bail. Even if you refund the money, you must face charges of theft and jailed ” Byabasaija said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
