KAMPALA, October 13, 2026 — The Uganda Police and other law enforcement agencies have arrested 552 people over the alleged theft and misuse of funds under the Parish Development Model [PDM], as a nationwide operation to protect the government programme continues.
Of those arrested, 492, representing about 89 percent, have appeared in court, according to an update issued by the Uganda Police Force on Monday.
The suspects face charges including theft, forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to defraud, extortion and cheating.
The operation, which began on August 4, 2026, is targeting individuals suspected of stealing or diverting PDM funds intended to help subsistence households transition into the money economy.
PDM funds are channelled to beneficiaries through PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [PDM SACCOs] at parish level.
Police said the operation has so far covered 12 police regional jurisdictions across the Karamoja, Teso, Bugisu, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions, as well as parts of Buganda, including Luweero and Wakiso.
Among those arrested are 251 SACCO leaders, 81 parish chiefs, 25 Parish Development Committee leaders, 23 local council leaders, 23 teachers and five district commercial officers.
The operation brings together several Police directorates, including Crime Intelligence, Criminal Investigations, Information and Communications Technology and Operations, as well as the Professional Standards Unit.
Other participating institutions include the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Resident City and District Commissioners, the Judiciary, the Internal Security Organisation [ISO], chief administrative officers and civil society organisations.
Police said the theft and abuse of PDM funds undermine the programme’s objective of improving household livelihoods by denying intended beneficiaries access to the resources.
The force has warned people involved in stealing or diverting PDM funds, including those in areas yet to be covered by the operation, to return the money.
Police specifically warned those who used forged documents to obtain PDM funds, aided the use of fake telephone contacts or made unauthorised deductions from beneficiaries.
The public and affected beneficiaries have also been urged to discreetly report suspected theft or misuse of PDM funds to the nearest police station, ISO officer or other security personnel.
Police said timely information would help investigators identify suspects, trace diverted funds and take appropriate action.
The operation is expected to continue in other parts of the country as authorities seek to recover diverted funds and ensure that PDM resources reach the intended beneficiaries.
Launched in February 3022, the PDM is intended to help Ugandans households move from subsistence production into the money economy by financing income-generating enterprises such as coffee growing, and piggery and others in the agricultural value chain. Its financing component is the Parish Revolving Fund [PRF], channelled through parish-level PDM SACCOs.
According to an update published by the Finance Ministry on September 16, 2026, beneficiaries soft access loans of up to Shs 1 million at an interest rate of 6 percent per annum, repayable over three years, including a two-year grace period. The amount approved for an individual may depend on the applicable programme arrangements.
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