Police in Amuria district have arrested two district leaders for misusing Parish Development Model (PDM) funds after an ongoing inspection by anti-corruption agencies of government under the inter-agency forum in the Teso sub-region districts of Soroti, Kalachi, Amuria, Kumi, and Bukedea.
According to Rose Lili Akeno, the State Minister for Ethics and Integrity, who is spearheading the inspection while speaking to journalists on May 15, 2024, Julius Aducat, a town agent from Atoba Ward in Asamuk Town Council, is being accused of soliciting a bribe from Drania Joyce to assist her in obtaining the PDM funds.
Akeno also stated that Philip Odong, of the same town council, was accused of paying UGX.2 million to two members of the same household, namely Oriokot Nicholas and his wife Atim Sandra, and to his unidentified girlfriend, who is not a resident of Amuria.
“The chairman of the SACCO (Odongo) got money under false pretence and gave to his girlfriend one million shillings. He also gave two people from the same household PDM funds, which is against the guidelines of the Parish Development Model. He was summoned to write a statement; from there, he has been charged,” Minister Akeno said.
Akeno also noted another district funds misuse incident involving district engineer Julius Sewora, who is said to have deliberately hidden from the meeting following allegations of overstating the costs of construction of a 120-metre Marrum road at a cost of eight million shillings.
“We also had issues with the district engineer of Amuria because of mismanagement of the contracts from procurement after the time when they were supposed to be secured and given to the contractors. But it is unfortunate that he has disappeared,” Akeno said.
PDM funds misuse incidents underscore the challenges faced by the government in ensuring poverty eradication and community empowerment initiatives in Uganda.
This year, in February, police in Sironko detained a man accused of hacking into the PDM beneficiaries digital wallets and diverting funds to his account. According to authorities, a total of Shs 5 million was stolen from 5 beneficiaries.
