Mbarara City launches community audit to fact-check PDM, other programmes

MBARARA CITY, October 6, 2025 — The Deputy Resident City Commissioner [DRCC] for Mbarara City North Division, Jackline Kankunda, has launched a community audit of key government wealth creation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model [PDM], Emyooga, and Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment [SAGE] among others.

The comprehensive audit, conducted through barazas [community public forums], is designed to physically verify the implementation, impact, and challenges of these programmes at grassroots level.

“We started from Rwenjeru, went to Biharwe East and West, yesterday we were in Kishasha, and today we have gone to Nyakinengo. Tomorrow, we shall be in Ruharo and Kamukuzi,” Kankunda noted during one of the forums.

Presidential directive spurs local-level scrutiny

Kankunda explained that the audit follows a directive from President Yoweri Museveni, issued during his nationwide tour to assess the progress of the PDM. The initiative involves a ward-by-ward approach to enhance citizen participation and ensure accountability.

“We decided to hold these barazas to review the implementation of PDM, Emyooga, SAGE, and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme [UWEP],” she said while addressing residents in Nyakinengo Ward recently. “We are verifying whether the funds disbursed are truly helping people lift themselves out of poverty, and if not, exploring how to improve service delivery.”

Launched in 2022, PDM is a flagship government initiative aimed at transitioning citizens from a subsistence economy to a money economy. Kankunda urged all Ugandans, regardless of political affiliation, to access the available funds without fear of discrimination.

“There may be opposition supporters among us, but I want to emphasise that PDM, UWEP, and Emyooga funds are for all Ugandans, not just NRM supporters. Whether you support NUP or FDC, these funds were given by the President for the benefit of every Ugandan,” she said.

PDM progressing, Emyooga Plagued by Mismanagement

While PDM has shown promise in some wards, enabling beneficiaries to start poultry farms, piggery projects, and bakery businesses, it faces challenges related to underfunding in the face of high demand. So far, Mbarara City has received Shs 7.56 billion under PDM, distributed to 23 SACCOs and reaching over 7,000 households.

In contrast, the earlier Emyooga programme has been marred by serious irregularities. Kankunda delivered a scathing assessment of its performance, citing widespread corruption, mismanagement, and weak oversight.

“From the onset, there was confusion in the Emyooga programme. Leaders treated the funds as a presidential handshake. Corruption was rampant,” she said. “There was no monitoring, no recovery of funds, and the Microfinance Support Centre [MSC] failed to provide the necessary support to SACCOs. Some beneficiaries even disappeared, making recovery impossible.”

Shs 320 million lost to “ghost” SACCOs

A major revelation from the audit was the loss of Shs 320 million to 10 “ghost” SACCOs in Mbarara City North Division. These were allegedly formed by groups such as mechanics, boda-boda riders, local leaders, artists, and persons with disabilities [PWDs], but are now untraceable, with no offices or known members.

“For the mechanics, boda-boda riders, and artists, each group received Shs 30 million. An additional Shs 50 million meant for women’s groups brings the total lost to Shs 320 million,” Kankunda stated.

One striking example was the Local Leaders’ SACCO, which had a zero balance, implying the entire Shs 50 million disbursed had vanished. Furthermore, she reported that funds allocated for persons with disabilities were received by individuals without disabilities.

Despite these failures, some Emyooga SACCOs have recovered. Groups such as fishermen and carpenters, initially non-performing, are now active and have qualified for an additional Shs 330 million from MSC.

Legal action looms as audit wraps up

The DRCC warned that leniency toward defaulting SACCOs and fraudsters is ending. She said once the audit is complete, the city will pursue legal action to recover misappropriated funds.

“The next step is legal action. We are going to prosecute those who misused the funds and recover as much as we can,” Kankunda noted.

She also used the forums to caution Local Council One [LCI] chairpersons against colluding with illegal moneylenders, urging them to protect residents from exploitation.

“We cannot allow Ugandans to suffer sleepless nights because of unscrupulous lenders. Some of these lenders have no physical address. Chairpersons, we appeal to you, do not conspire with them to seize people’s land and property,” she warned.

Renewed government commitment to economic transformation

The extensive audit signals renewed government commitment to ensuring that programmes like PDM fulfil their goal of lifting Ugandans out of subsistence livelihoods. Mbarara City has so far received Shs 7.56 billion under PDM, with each of the 23 city wards receiving Shs 306 million in revolving parish funds. Over 7,056 households have benefited, as part of a broader drive to transform the economic wellbeing of citizens within five years.

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