Otuke PDM beneficiaries divert funds

OTUKE, August 30, 2024 — Some of the beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model [PDM] in Otuke district have been accused of misusing funds allocated for specific enterprises. Instead of investing the money in the intended projects, some beneficiaries have reportedly spent it on unrelated expenses.

This misuse was uncovered during a recent annual general meeting [AGM], which district officials, parish chiefs, PDM SACCO leaders, and some beneficiaries attended. The district, which has 52 parishes, has seen significant concerns regarding fund diversion.

The PDM is a government programme launched in February 2022 to move 3.5 million households from the subsistence to the money economy. Under the programme each beneficiary receives Shs 1 million loan to invest in the agricultural enterprise of their choice.

However, Charles Opio, Otuke District Senior Commercial Officer, and PDM Focal Person, revealed recently that Barodugu PDM SACCO in Otuke Town Council and Anep-Moroto PDM in Orum are among the SACCOs where members have diverted funds. Opio estimated that around 50 percent of the programme funds have been misallocated by the recipients.

“During last week’s AGM, we discovered that some beneficiaries used the PDM funds for personal issues, such as paying off debts, rather than investing in their designated enterprises. For instance, those who received funds for goat and sheep rearing have not yet implemented their projects despite receiving the money last year,” Opio said.

Opio urged beneficiaries to adhere to their chosen enterprises to ensure proper accountability during future monitoring. “Beneficiaries must stick to their selected enterprises. When monitoring teams visit, we will check how the funds have been used and ensure accurate reporting,” he emphasised.

He also mentioned that a team is working to guide PDM beneficiaries on the proper use of funds, which are expected to be repaid after two years.

“Our extension workers, including agricultural officers, veterinary officers, parish chiefs, and community development officers, are tasked with guiding and monitoring beneficiaries to ensure adherence to their chosen projects,” Opio added.

Alex Jut, Chairperson of Ating PDM SACCO in Ating Parish, Orum Subcounty, acknowledged that some members face family-related challenges, which may lead them to use the funds for issues such as debt repayment. “In my parish, I haven’t observed this directly, but beneficiaries facing difficulties might use these PDM funds for personal issues, such as paying off debts, rather than for their intended projects,” Jut noted.

Otuke District has over 1,000 PDM beneficiaries engaged in various enterprises, including goat, sheep, and cattle rearing, as well as growing crops such as sesame, rice, soybean, and maize.

Notable group enterprises include Lobe-ber-idano Goat Rearing Enterprise, Iyama Youth Sheep Rearing Enterprise, Doga-omna-lonye Sheep Rearing Enterprise, Rwotakica Goat Rearing Enterprise, Nen-idiro Sesame Growing Enterprise, Tecwao Goat Rearing Enterprise, Oto-inino Goat Rearing Enterprise, Aler Goat Rearing Enterprise, Adur Goat Rearing Enterprise, and Odike Goat Rearing Enterprise, among others.

https://thecooperator.news/pdm-sacco-members-in-otuke-invest-in-agri-business/

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