Four people have been arrested in Kisoro district for allegedly extorting money from residents seeking to benefit from the Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
The arrests were made on Thursday during community meetings (barazas) in Muramba sub-county and Bunagana town council, chaired by Resident District Commissioner Hajja Badru Sebyala, her deputy Robert Tukamuhebwa, and Kisoro District Internal Security Officer Sam Mwesigwa.
At Muramba sub-county headquarters, residents accused Gisozi Parish Chief Pauline Kakuze, Sooko PDM Sacco Chairperson Emmanuel Ndazigaruye, and Sooko Parish Chief John Bosco Nteziyaremye of charging between 100,000 and 150,000 shillings per person. The trio was arrested and taken to Muramba police post for questioning. In Bunagana, Jennifer Nyiramugisha, a ward agent, was also arrested for similar allegations.
Sebyala said the district has received numerous complaints from residents about not benefiting fully from the PDM program.
Last week, State Minister for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (General Duties) Henry Ariganyira Musasizi admitted that the government is struggling to track the program’s impact at the grassroots level. Citing Bushenyi district, Musasizi revealed that a recent case study found beneficiaries misusing the funds. He also mentioned irregularities in Hamuhambo town council, Rubanda district, where funds were diverted to residents of Kabale district. The minister blamed extortion by parish chiefs for hindering the program’s progress.
Launched by President Yoweri Museveni in February 2022, the PDM aims to improve service delivery and reduce poverty at the grassroots. Each member of a formed group receives 1 million shillings as startup capital.
The problem the PDM program is suffering setbacks from many corners although it has registered some success.
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