Editor
Kanungu, Uganda – The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kanungu, Ambrose Mwesiye, has issued a stern warning to Sub-County Chiefs, Community Development Officers (CDOs), and Parish Development Model (PDM) Chairpersons against extorting funds from PDM beneficiaries. The warning was delivered during a meeting held at the Kanungu District offices on August 28, 2024, aimed at ensuring the smooth implementation of the PDM program across the district.
RDC Mwesiye revealed that his office has received multiple reports of SACCO leaders extorting money from beneficiaries under the guise of covering stationery and other SACCO-related expenses. He emphasized that these expenses are already being catered for by the government, and any form of extortion hinders the successful rollout of the PDM project.
In a recent incident in Kihanda, the RDC ordered the arrest of a SACCO Chairperson who had been accused of soliciting money from beneficiaries. The Chairperson was apprehended after a complaint was lodged by one of the beneficiaries, leading to the police recovering and refunding the extorted funds.
Kanungu’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Awuye Abdallah, also addressed the gathering, commending the efforts of Commercial Officers, CDOs, Parish Chiefs, and PDM Chairpersons in advancing the program. However, he echoed the RDC’s concerns about corruption, warning that any leader found guilty of such acts would face legal action. Awuye highlighted that several group leaders had been replaced due to misappropriation of funds, and noted the troubling trend of secretaries and Chairpersons resigning without explanation.
The meeting also served as a platform for CDOs to voice challenges they face, particularly the unrealistic expectations from the public. Tugume Moses, a CDO, pointed out that some community members expect that the 100 million UGX disbursed through the PDM will benefit every Parish member simultaneously, which is not feasible.
The District Commercial Officer, Muhanguzi Owomuhangi Celebs, informed the meeting that the second tranche of PDM funds had yet to be disbursed due to the recent transfer of Parish Chiefs, many of whom are not yet enrolled in the system or assigned codes for their new positions. Muhanguzi assured attendees that efforts are being made to address the issue of extortion by leaders.
In a related development, Ngabirano Richard, a 62-year-old Chairperson of Rwenkyende SACCO in Kihanda Sub-County, who was found guilty of extorting money from beneficiaries, publicly advised other Chairpersons to cease such practices immediately. He explained that he and his colleagues had been collecting money for lunch and transport, as they served as volunteers, but he bore the brunt of the legal consequences.
The complainants, led by Tusiime Nusurah and five others—Naume, Gladis, Edina, Annet, and Josephine—chose to forgive Ngabirano after recovering their funds. They urged other PDM beneficiaries facing similar issues to report their grievances to the appropriate authorities. Nusurah emphasized the importance of standing up against exploitation, especially among the vulnerable.
