PDM: Bududa Parish Chiefs on Spot over extortion of beneficiaries
BUDUDA, September 3, 2024 – The National Coordinator of Emyooga who is also the Parish Development Model [ PDM ] Consultant, Ritah Namuwenge on Monday ordered an immediate investigation of some of the Parish Chiefs in Bududa district for allegedly extorting money from various PDM SACCOs.
The Parish Chiefs are alleged to have been soliciting money ranging from Shs 30,000 to Shs 100,000 from each member of the PDM SACCO before being approved to get funds allocated to them by the programme.
Namuwenge made this statement while chairing the district PDM stakeholders’ meeting at the district headquarters.
The meeting was convened by top officials supervising the PDM and Emyooga programmes, in collaboration with the Finance Ministry. The officials are currently in Bugisu Sub-region to assess the progress and implementation of the programmes.
“The Parish Chiefs, and Parish Development Committees [PDCs] are not adhering to the PDM guidelines. Why extort money from these vulnerable people? I have instructed the RDC to obtain statements from the beneficiaries who were extorted,” said Namuwenge.
Namuwenge pledged to visit the sub-counties to conduct follow-ups and ensure that the government programme launched in February 2022, to fight poverty is benefiting the targeted people in Bududa district. The district has about 160 parishes.
The officials also directed the PDM SACCO leaders to stop bureaucracy and give people money. This came after several concerns in the meeting.
The residents backed Namuwenge to arrest the corrupt Parish Chiefs and PDCs.
Peter Womaniala, a PDM beneficiary alleged that the parish chiefs and Sacco leaders have become a problem.
“If you complain they start intimidating us not to give us money. They start asking us for money between Shs 10, 000, Shs20, 000, up to Shs 100, 000 until you give up on the programme. They even collect phones belonging to the beneficiaries and start demanding kickbacks before getting your phone back,” Womaniala said.
On his part, Elijah Madoi, the Resident District Commissioner Bududa, warned the Parish Chiefs to stop extorting money from beneficiaries of the programme.
“As the chief monitor of government programmes in the district, I urge you to report such cases of extortion to his office,” Elijah said.
“If I catch anyone extorting money from PDM beneficiaries will be arrested and face the law. Don’t think that you will refund the money and go back without punishment,” he said.
Rahim Kisuyi, an economist from the Finance Ministry urged the beneficiaries to invest the money received [Shs 1 million] under the PDM in productive activities such as piggery, poultry keeping, and coffee growing among others.
“A wise man invests his money where it multiplies, and money moves from a fool to the wise. If you invest this money wisely, it will return with profits. We will ensure you become rich,” he said.
A recent report on the disbursement of PDM funds reveals major disparities in the performance of local governments. According to the report 44 local governments, despite having received a combined total of Shs 213 billion in revolving funds since June 2024, have yet to disburse any money to the beneficiaries.
In contrast, the report dated August 24, 2024, shows the top-performing local governments that have disbursed funds almost in full. They include Kira Municipal Council, Kwania, Namayingo, Buyende, Kisoro Municipal Council, and Butebo.
https://thecooperator.news/bududa-district-council-elects-new-committee-chairpersons/
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