Zombo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Festus Ayikubua has arrested two parish chiefs over alleged mismanagement and extortion of funds meant for the Parish Development Model (PDM).
The suspects, Judith Kawun of Alube Parish, Kago Sub-county, and Monanu Betty Diana of Omua Ward, Warr Town Council, are accused of illegally distributing PDM funds to their spouses and close associates while depriving rightful beneficiaries.
Ayikubua revealed in an interview on Saturday that several chiefs and Parish Development Committees (PDCs) have been diverting funds, favouring relatives, and demanding hefty sums from intended beneficiaries.
He noted that in some cases, the money was given to individuals who were not even residents of the targeted parishes.
According to the RDC, Monanu withdrew UGX 4 million and handed it to her husband while presenting non-residents as supposed beneficiaries of Omua Ward in Warr Town Council.
Similarly, Kawun allegedly smuggled her husband from Arua City and allocated him part of UGX 3 million, excluding eligible recipients in Zombo District.
Both officials are currently detained at Paidha Central Police Station. Ayikubua stated that they will face charges before the Grade One Magistrate of Paidha Court next week if they fail to refund the misappropriated funds.
Despite these incidents, he commended other parishes in Zombo for properly implementing the PDM programme and acknowledged farmers who have benefited from the initiative.
President Yoweri Museveni has previously issued strong warnings against the misuse of PDM funds, advocating for strict legal action against defaulters.
Addressing journalists from Ankole at his residence in Rwakitura, Kiruhura District, last month, he emphasised the need for accountability in the programme, which is designed to drive socio-economic transformation.
He instructed the Inspector General of Police to revoke police bonds for corrupt officials in Lango and ensure their prosecution.
Museveni also proposed a 10-month jail term for those who embezzle PDM funds, arguing that such measures would allow the government to recover lost money. He confirmed that the proposal would be presented to the Cabinet for further discussion and policy formulation.
In a related development, the Lira Chief Magistrate’s Court last week sentenced Sara Atim, the Chairperson of Ipito Aweno PDM SACCO in Lira City, to one year and eleven months in prison for mismanaging PDM funds.
These developments highlight the government’s intensified efforts to curb corruption and ensure that PDM resources reach the intended beneficiaries.
