KIRYANDONGO, September 28, 2026 — Maureen Aliguma, the Parish Chief of Kyemba parish in Kiryandongo Subcounty, Kiryandongo district, has been arrested on the orders of Resident District Commissioner [RDC] Dan Muganga.
The arrest of Aliguma follows allegations of extortion from beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model [PDM], a Government of Uganda programme aimed at moving poor households from the subsistence to the money economy.
Muganga ordered Aliguma’s arrest on September 26, 2026, during a community Baraza meeting organised by Kiryandongo Woman Member of Parliament, Jovia Katusiime, at Kyembera Primary School.
Muganga also ordered the arrest of Dr. John Osirwa, the Chairperson of the Kyemba PDM SACCO, for allegedly colluding with the Parish Chief in the extortion scheme.
Osirwa sensed arrest and he disappeared mysteriously but police is currently looking for him.
Umar Kabagambea, a resident of Kyembera village, told the meeting that he was supposed to receive Shs 1 million for investment in his selected project but only received Shs 500,000. “After getting the money, the SACCO Chairperson, Dr. John Osirwa, came to me saying that the Parish Chief wanted Shs 500,000, and I gave it out in pain,” he recounted.
Choice Nakate, also a resident of Kyembera village, stated that she was meant to receive Shs 1 million but only got Shs 450,000, adding that the Parish Chief followed her home to collect the money.
Rose Nyanjuura from Dyangi village reported receiving Shs 480,000 instead of Shs 1 million, with the remaining amount allegedly taken by the two suspects.
During the meeting, some members of the SACCO committee who had extorted smaller amounts of money were tasked by MP Katusiime to immediately refund it to the beneficiaries. Many attendees used the platform to share various distressing experiences regarding accessing PDM funds.
However, Aliguma who was transferred to Kyankende parish denied all the allegations, saying that the SACCO Chairperson could have been collecting in her name for his personal gains.
Previous cases
Kiryandongo district authorities have recorded several cases of extortion within the PDM program, particularly involving SACCO leadership and some parish chiefs.
In mid-August 2025, two other individuals were arrested: Ibra Kisembo, the Parish Chief of Nyamahasa parish, and Stanley Odeke, Chairperson of a PDM SACCO in Kigumba Subcounty.
Kisembo was accused of extorting over Shs 7 million, while Odeke reportedly demanded Shs 200,000 from each of four beneficiaries, promising them a soft loan of Shs 1 million, which every programme beneficiary is entitled to receive.
In April 2025, 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; Mary Atim, Secretary in the District Production Department; and 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.
Leaders speak out
MP Katusiime stated that she initiated the PDM Baraza meetings after receiving numerous complaints from beneficiaries regarding extortion by SACCO leaders and some parish chiefs.
“I condemn the extortion cases being perpetrated against poor people by government officials and SACCO leaders. We are going to hold these meetings across the district, and everyone involved will be dealt with according,” Katusiime explained.
RDC Muganga promised to ensure that everyone involved is arrested and prosecuted, adding that many have already been arrested and prosecuted, and that arrests and investigations will be intensified.
Denis Dacan, the Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, commended MP Katusiime for the initiative of holding community Baraza meetings on PDM, saying they would help people speak up.
“We have repeatedly warned these chiefs not to engage in such acts. Many have been convicted, some are on interdiction, and some have been convicted. I want to caution my staff that money for the community should remain money for the community. We shall not cover anyone in case of arrest,” he said.
Sam Kakumba, the District Commercial Officer, expressed disappointment at the revelations from the community members, stating that these incidents were happening without the knowledge of the district authorities.
“I am calling upon the people to always inform our offices immediately so that we are able to intervene and address these issues before it’s too late,” said Kakumba.
About PDM in Kiryandongo
According to Byenkya, since the inception of PDM in 2022, Kiryandongo district has received Shs 13.2 billion, which has been disbursed to 13,177 beneficiaries.
“Each parish has so far received over Shs 307 million, distributed to an average of 307 beneficiaries,” he noted.
He further stated that the government has provided tablets to all 43 parish chiefs, all 13 community development officers, 43 PDM SACCO chairpersons, the District Commercial Officer, Operation Wealth Creation Coordinator, among others.
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 invests the soft loan received in respective selected enterprises such as coffee, dairy farming, fish farming, piggery, and poultry keeping, among others.
https://thecooperator.news/kiryandongo-mothers-shun-health-facilities-due-to-systemic-failures/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
-
-
-
-
