A total of six senior officials of Bugiri District have been remanded for allegedly defrauding Parish Development Model officials.
The suspects appeared before the Chief Magistrates Court following their arrest by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
According to the report, the suspects have been identified as Mugunda Azedy, the Assistant Town Clerk, Busowa Town Council, and Community Development Officer; Maka Christopher, Parish Chief of Bupala and Busoga Parish; Kawudhu Mathias Chairperson, Nawandhuki Busowa SACCO; Balidawa Stephen: Chairperson, Nakidudula Busowa SACCO; Makiika Stephen, Chairperson, Nakawa Busowa SACCO; and Waiswa Hassa Businessman.
“The accused, along with others still at large, are alleged to have conspired and defrauded millions of shillings from beneficiaries of various PDM SACCOs in Bugiri District between January and June 2024,” reads the report.
They are accused of collecting money from PDM beneficiaries, claiming it was to pay for rent, buying furniture, printing vouchers, and preparing files, appraisals, and photographs.
However, the funds were not used for the intended purposes, and the officials are also accused of charging each beneficiary of their SACCOs, a practice that is strictly against PDM guidelines.
The suspects were remanded until September 23, 2024, when they will reappear before the same court.