Two arrested over alleged extortion of PDM beneficiaries in Kiryandongo
KIRYANDONGO, August 15, 2025 – Kiryandongo district is currently grappling with a surge in extortion cases linked to the Parish Development Model [PDM] programme, with two key suspects now in police custody.
Ibra Kisembo, the Parish Chief of Nyamahasa Parish, and Stanley Odeke, Chairperson of a PDM SACCO in Kigumba Sub-county, were arrested earlier this week for allegedly demanding money from programme beneficiaries.
According to Samuel Mbabazi, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Kisembo is accused of extorting over Shs 7 million from beneficiaries prior to his arrest.
“Kisembo barricaded himself inside his home and threatened to commit suicide to avoid arrest. However, we managed to apprehend him and take him into custody,” Mbabazi stated.
On the other hand, Odeke, Chairperson of the Tuyungane Group in Mpumwe Parish, Kigumba Sub-county, was arrested for extorting Shs 800,000 from four PDM beneficiaries. Each victim was reportedly asked to pay Shs 200,000 to qualify for a Shs 1 million loan being given to each beneficiary of the programme.
Mbabazi revealed that a whistleblower, a woman who had been asked for the same amount—came forward to expose Odeke’s scheme.
“During interrogation, Odeke claimed he was not the sole beneficiary of the extorted funds,” added Mbabazi.
The authorities have recovered the Shs 800,000 extorted by Odeke and plan to return it to the victims.
Both suspects are currently held at Kiryandongo Central Police Station, awaiting arraignment in court.
Mbabazi emphasised that the district is addressing numerous extortion cases related to the PDM programme, with several arrests and prosecutions already underway.
He attributed the success to ongoing sensitisation efforts that have empowered the public to provide feedback and report suspicious activities.
“As the district continues to tackle these cases, I urge anyone who has fallen victim to report incidents and cooperate with the authorities,” he said.
Other Arrests
In April this year, four individuals were arrested over the alleged theft of Shs 1 million intended for PDM beneficiaries.
Those arrested included Juliet Katusabe, the Town Agent for Northern Ward in Kiryandongo Town Council; Edward Katusiime, a PDM Enterprise Leader from Mukonogum Cell; Mary Atim, a Secretary in the Kiryandongo District Production Department; and a SACCO leader identified only as Anguliga.
Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly used the national identification details of Oliva Katusiime, a resident of Runyanya Village, to fraudulently register and withdraw PDM funds without her knowledge.
The Parish Development Model, launched in February 2022, aims to lift 3.5 million households in Uganda out of poverty and integrate them into the cash economy. Under the programme, each beneficiary receives a soft loan of Shs 1 million to invest in enterprises such as coffee growing, dairy farming, fish farming, piggery, and poultry keeping.
https://thecooperator.news/bushenyi-authorities-urge-timely-repayment-of-pdm-loans/
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