EDITOR
The Office of the National Chairperson (ONC), during a recent fact-finding mission into the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the Ankole sub-region, has recovered over Shs 506,773,000 that had been embezzled by parish chiefs.
This revelation was made by Mr. Barugahare Joseph, the ONC Team Leader for Mbarara and the Ankole sub-region, following the arrest of the chairperson of the PDM SACCO in Ngango Parish, Kagongi Sub-county, along with the SACCO secretary and treasurer. The trio is accused of misappropriating over Shs 9 million intended for PDM beneficiaries.
According to Barugahare, the Parish Chief of Ngango Parish allegedly collaborated with the arrested officials to divert more than Shs 3 million, which was suspiciously paid to three individuals from Katete Ward in Nyamitanga Division, Mbarara City South.
Investigations by police further revealed that Ms. Natumanya Florence, in collusion with the SACCO chairperson, is accused of soliciting and receiving a bribe of over Shs 1.4 million from potential beneficiaries. The money was reportedly paid in exchange for securing spots on the PDM beneficiaries’ list.
Twine Evarist, the chairperson of Kagongi Sub-county and head of the sub-county security committee, confirmed that only Shs 6,773,000 has so far been recovered from the suspects. He also revealed that the Parish Chief of Ngango Parish, who is believed to be on the run, switched off all known phone numbers and is currently wanted by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC).
Twine appealed to the Mbarara District leadership to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and ensure full recovery of all PDM funds misappropriated from Ngango Parish. He also criticized the PDM SACCO committees and parish chiefs for failing to publicly display the list of rightful beneficiaries, a practice he said has fueled corruption and limited community ownership of the program.
