Fighting corruption: Kole PDM beneficiaries expose leaders
KOLE, October 17, 2023 – The beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model [PDM] in Kole district in Northern Uganda have exposed fraudulent transactions carried out by the leaders in the disbursement of the funds.
They alleged there were multiple payments sanctioned by the PDM SACCO chairpersons, connivance with the district officials, and concealing bank account details of some of the programme’s beneficiaries.
Betty Akello, a member of Ber Obanga Group in Ogwangacuma parish in Aboke town council said she applied for Shs 1 million but she received less than half of the money.
“I was not convinced with the explanations and when I went to the bank to withdraw the remaining money, they told me my account had been credited with Shs 500,000 and I could withdraw Shs 480,000,” she said, adding that she later received a message indicating Shs 1 million was withdrawn from her bank account.
Akello is among the many beneficiaries who raised red flags over the mismanagement of the programme in Kole district.
She said in her group of 10 members, only three beneficiaries received Shs 1mln each while the rest walked away with Shs 500,000, Shs 600,000, and Shs 700,000 yet all of them applied for Shs 1mln. Under the PDM guidelines, each beneficiary is supposed to receive Shs 1mln.
Following various complaints, the Deputy Coordinator of the PDM, Joveline Kalisa on Wednesday stormed the district and arrested four public servants accusing them of negligence, fraud, and corruption.
Among those arrested include, Janet Adongo, the sub county chief of Alito, Okidi Geoffrey of Okwerodot, Kinyera Bonniface, the community development officer of Alito town council and Edward Okwi, the chairperson of Ogwangacuma PDM SACCO.
Last month six officials in the district were arrested over frequently approving non-vetted beneficiaries to receive the funds.
Among those arrested and released on police bond included Okao Emmanuel, the district commercial officer, Okwi, Richard Elok, chairperson Maktic Group, Geoffrey Ojok of Acan Pe Kun, Moses Omara of Omolo Farmers’ Group and Umar Ekora, chairperson Bed Amwol Group.
Under the PDM launched in February 2022, each parish in Uganda is supposed to receive Shs 100mln each financial year to fund enterprises such as growing coffee, bananas, fruits, grains, dairy farming, fish farming, piggery, and beekeeping among several others.
https://thecooperator.news/excitement-as-kole-launches-disbursement-of-pdm-funds/
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