Kapchorwa Parish Chief arrested for extorting PDM beneficiaries

Shamim Chebet, 38, the Parish Chief of Kongowo Parish in Kapsinda Subcounty, Kapchorwa District, is accused of conspiring with others still at large to commit fraud. The alleged extortion involved obtaining Shs 1,075,000 from beneficiaries of the Kongowo PDM SACCO under false pretences.

Chebet is reported to have received Shs 80,000 from Abigali Chebet, Shs 100,000 from Margret Yapcherotich, and Shs 80,000 from Emilly Cheranget, all beneficiaries of the PDM programme.

Mariam Natasha, Spokesperson for the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, stated that Chebet was apprehended following complaints from the affected beneficiaries.

Fred Chesang, Spokesperson for the Sipi Regional Police, confirmed the arrest and stated that Chebet faces charges of obtaining money by false pretenses, abuse of office, and extortion.

The PDM initiative, launched by President Museveni on February 26, 2022, in Kibuku district, aims to enhance service delivery and reduce poverty in Uganda. The programme provides each beneficiary with Shs 1 million in soft loans to invest in various enterprises, including coffee growing, dairy farming, piggery, poultry keeping, beekeeping, fish farming, and banana growing. The loan is to be repaid to the Parish Revolving Fund [PRF] within two years. Each year, government allocates over Shs 1 trillion to 10,540 parishes to support the program’s beneficiaries.

https://thecooperator.news/tororo-leaders-warned-against-extortion-of-pdm-beneficiaries/

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