Kitgum District Officials Charged for diverting PDM Funds.

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit working with the Criminal Investigations Department of Kitgum Police has arraigned Kitgum District Local Government officials; Mr. Musisi Joel- Chief Administrative Officer, Omony Stephen Lakwonyero- Principal Assistant Secretary, and Aryemo Agnes- Production Officer before the Anti-Corruption Court.

The accused and others still at large have been charged with the diversion of over UGX 526,370,000 funds that were meant for the implementation of the Parish Development Model in the district. In August 2022, the accused allegedly used the money for other activities within the district that were not related to PDM.

The activities included training the council and sub-county members and facilitating the district service commission in recruiting technical staff in the district like the PAS, CDO, and parish chiefs among others.

They further facilitated the district service commission in conducting interviews and hiring tents for the interviews among others which were not related to what the money was meant for.

In March this year, the State House Anti-corruption Unit led by Brig Gen Henry Isoke pitched camp in the Acholi sub-region following a directive from H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to the Unit, to investigate allegations of extortion and mismanagement of funds meant for the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the region.

During the community meetings, the Wanainchi raised varying concerns about how the fund was being managed. These included; Unclear charges by officials purportedly to cover photocopying and other administrative expenses, Delays in the release of funds & illegal charges in the creation of SACCO accounts, Nepotism, and Forced commitments to give a percentage of the money to PDM Officials before being considered for registration.

So far, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit has arrested 14 government officials in the Acholi sub-region for mismanaging PDM Funds in the districts of Nwoya, Ngora, Gulu, and Kitgum. Out of the 14, four have been charged in court while others have files still under investigation.

H.E President Yoweri Museveni launched the Parish Development Model in February 2022 as one of the initiatives to uplift those in the subsistence economy to join the money economy at the Parish level.

The Ministry of Finance has so far released UGX 264B for PDM activities and so far 8,931 parishes have received money and are already implementing the program. If not addressed, the mismanagement of these funds will hinder the intended socio-economic transformation.