PDM SACCO leaders dismissed over alleged corruption
KWANIA, October 12, 2023 – Kwania district LCV chairman, Geoffrey Alex Ogwal Adyebo has ordered for immediate replacement Kizito Ocen, the chairperson of Banya PDM SACCO, and the general secretary, Jimmy Okori following corruption accusations against them.
In the 2022/2023 financial year, Banya parish in Inomo Sub-county just like other 49 parishes in Kwania district received Shs 107 million under Parish Development Model [PDM] to help poor households in the area engage in income generating activities.
However, it is alleged that Okori and his wife Lucy Apio illegally received Shs 2mln while the SACCO chairperson Ocen sent Shs 1mln to his personal bank account contrary to PDM guidelines.
He is also accused of illegally recruiting his two wives and two ghost beneficiaries Gloria Angida and Jimmy Linjo into Banya PDM SACCO.
While meeting Banya and Agwiciri parish PDM beneficiaries at Adagani village in Agwiciri parish, Inomo Sub- county days ago, Ogwal ordered for the immediate replacement of Ocen with his vice chairperson Eunice Acen to pave way for investigation.
“I want to hand over Banya PDM SACCO to the vice chairperson and I want to direct that beneficiaries of this SACCO hold a meeting to elect new SACCO leaders with the immediate effect. Please, link up with Catharine Akello our principal commercial officer to ensure the money we recovered is handed over to the rightful beneficiaries,” Ogwal said.
In a related development, Agwici PDM SACCO chairperson, Dick Ocen was recently replaced by Denis Abongo, the chairman of Agwiciri Parish Development Committee [PDC].
Ocen’s replacement came shortly after it was discovered that he had illegally disbursed Shs 2mln to his herdsman Bonny Ojuka, and the daughter of SACCO treasurer Lillian Awino respectively.
Tonny Mwanga Blea, Banya Parish male councilor welcomed the directive with excitement, saying the replacement will bring transparency and effective implementation of the PDM in the area.
“I want to thank so much the leaders of Kwania, the LCV chairperson, CAO and the RDC for coming to our rescue we are so happy because a lot of money that ended up in the wrong hands was recovered. Its my humble appeal that the tour continues to all the parishes in the district,” he said.
Caroline Kule, the Inomo Sub-county LCIII chairperson urged PDM beneficiaries in the two parishes of Banya and Agwiciri to elect competent and incorruptible people for effective implementation of the PDM.
“We were tracing for the money that was in the wrong hands and we have finally recovered money worth Shs9 million. I want to request you to elect competent and non-corrupt people who can devote and work tirelessly for the progress of these PDM SACCOs,” she said.
The PDM is a government programme that was launched in Kibuku district, Bukedia Sub-region in February 2022 by President Yoweri Museveni as a means of uplifting 39 percent of Ugandan households still encircled in the subsistence economy to the money economy.
Each parish in the country is expected to receive Shs 100mln every financial year to enable selected beneficiaries engage in commercial enterprises such as coffee growing, piggery and livestock among several others.
https://thecooperator.news/kwania-north-pwd-emyooga-sacco-seeks-laptops-for-record-keeping/
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