Beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Pakwach District are struggling to repay government funds, with officials raising concerns that some households allegedly diverted the money to personal expenses instead of investing in income-generating activities.
Pakwach District Principal Commercial Officer Christopher Jakweyo says some beneficiaries reportedly spent the funds on smartphones, household items and additional marriages, undermining the programme’s objective of improving household incomes.
Jakweyo says the two-year grace period given to beneficiaries before repayment is now expiring, but the district has so far recovered only about four million shillings, of which just two million shillings are reflected in the official system.
Pakwach District has disbursed PDM funds to more than 19,000 households since 2023, raising concerns about the recovery of the revolving funds and the sustainability of the programme.The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has also warned beneficiaries who diverted the funds that they risk imprisonment if they fail to repay the money. Mao issued the warning while addressing mourners in Pacego Parish, Panyango Sub-county, Pakwach District, on Saturday. The exact date of the event should be confirmed before publication.
The Parish Development Model is a government initiative intended to move households into the money economy by supporting income-generating activities and improving access to financial services. The funds are channelled through parish-level savings and credit cooperative organisations (SACCOs), with beneficiaries expected to invest in enterprises that generate income and enable them to repay the money for lending to other households.
In April, the government directed local governments to change the leadership of PDM SACCOs following reports of corruption involving some previous leaders. The recovery challenges in Pakwach raise questions about beneficiary accountability, the monitoring of investments and the effectiveness of local structures in ensuring that the revolving funds achieve their intended purpose-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
