Crime
Preliminary investigations reveal that parish chiefs in Lokales Parish colluded with outsiders to alter beneficiary registers.
A corruption scheme involving falsified documents, extortion, and fraudulent activities surrounding the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds has been uncovered in Amudat District.
A high-level regional security team, led by SSP Madiri Ahmed, Regional Police Commander for Mt Moroto, held a meeting today, November 21, to address allegations implicating local government officials and their Kenyan counterparts in a scheme to swindle PDM beneficiaries.
Preliminary investigations reveal that parish chiefs in Lokales Parish colluded with outsiders to alter beneficiary registers.
Names of rightful beneficiaries were replaced with ineligible individuals, effectively denying genuine recipients their rightful access to the funds.
To make matters worse, the suspects allegedly demanded bribes of UGX 150,000 from residents to register them in the program.
The crackdown led to the arrest of four prime suspects, who are now in police custody to assist with further investigations.
“This behaviour is not only unethical but illegal, and we are determined to root out such practices,” said SSP Madiri Ahmed.
Regional CID Chief SSP Kalimbano assured the public that the investigation will leave no stone unturned. “We are following every lead to ensure that everyone involved in this network faces the full force of the law,” he said.
The arrests come in the wake of a stern directive by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who recently warned against corrupt practices during his zonal tours in the Teso Sub-region.
The President made it clear that government programs are free of charge, and any official found extorting money or engaging in fraud would face severe consequences, including being denied police bond.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Amudat, Denis Okori, and the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) of Amudat emphasized the importance of public vigilance.
“We urge citizens to report corrupt officials to the authorities. The government has zero tolerance for corruption, and those guilty will be prosecuted and held accountable,” said Okori.
The Parish Development Model, aimed at uplifting communities through financial support and development programs, is a cornerstone of the government’s poverty alleviation strategy. Authorities reiterated that all citizens are entitled to access the program at no cost.
As investigations continue, residents are hopeful that justice will be served and the integrity of the PDM will be restored.
