KIRYANDONGO, September 8, 2025 – The Chief Magistrate of Kiryandongo, Samson Loum Abit, has sentenced five individuals to one year in prison each for obtaining money by false pretense from beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model [ PDM ].
According to the prosecution, the convicted individuals extorted a total of Shs 660,000 from six different PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs], charging Shs 110,000 from each.
The convicted individuals include: Eunice Amsolo [Secretary] Joel Aluku [Treasurer]; Patrick Bigirwa [Chairperson], Jacob Mukwana [Publicity Secretary]; One other SACCO leader whose name was not disclosed.
The group has been sent to various prisons including Kididma, Kigumba, and Dyang.
Origin of the arrests
Their arrest followed a community baraza [public meeting] organised by the PDM Focal Person in Kiryandongo district, Hassan Byenkya Isa, after receiving reports of widespread extortion in Mpumwe Parish, Kigumba Sub-county.
Investigations revealed that most of the extortion cases in the district have been perpetrated by PDM SACCO leaders themselves, who demand illegal payments from programme beneficiaries.
Previous cases
This is not the first time PDM-related extortion has surfaced in Kiryandongo.
In mid-August, two other individuals were arrested: Ibra Kisembo, the Parish Chief of Nyamahasa Parish; and Stanley Odeke, Chairperson of a PDM SACCO in Kigumba Sub-county
Kisembo was accused of extorting over Shs 7 million, while Odeke reportedly demanded Shs 200,000 from each of four beneficiaries, promising them access to the standard Shs 1 million PDM loan.
In April this year, four others were arrested for the alleged theft of Shs 1 million meant for PDM beneficiaries. Those implicated included: Juliet Katusabe, Town Agent for Northern Ward, Kiryandongo Town Council; Edward Katusiime, PDM Enterprise Leader from Mukonogum Cell; and Mary Atim, Secretary in the District Production Department; A SACCO leader identified only as Anguliga
Investigations found that the suspects had fraudulently used the national ID details of Oliva Katusiime, a resident of Runyanya Village, to withdraw PDM funds without her knowledge.
Authorities respond
Speaking to theCooperator, Samuel Mbabazi, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner, confirmed the growing number of extortion cases tied to the PDM.
He attributed the recent arrests to heightened public awareness and sensitisation campaigns, which have encouraged community members to report such illegal activities.
“As the district continues to tackle these cases, I urge anyone who has been a victim of extortion to report to the relevant authorities and cooperate in ongoing investigations,” he said.
About the PDM
The Parish Development Model, launched in February 2022, is a government initiative aimed at lifting 3.5 million households out of poverty and integrating them into the cash economy.
Under the programme, each qualifying beneficiary receives a soft loan of Shs 1 million to invest selected enterprises such as coffee, dairy farming, and fish farming, piggery, and poultry keeping among others.
However, continued reports of fraud and extortion threaten to undermine the success of the initiative, particularly if trust in local SACCO leadership is eroded.
https://thecooperator.news/kikuube-disburses-shs-1-45bln-in-pdm-funds-to-new-beneficiaries/
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