Two arrested for extorting PDM beneficiaries in Kiryandongo
Each victim was asked to pay Sh200,000 to be considered for a Sh1 million loan.
Kiryandongo: Police in Kiryandongo district are holding two suspects on allegations of extorting Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
The suspects identified as Kisembo Ibra, the Parish Chief of Nyamahasa Parish and Odeke, the SACCO Chairperson in Kigumba sub-county were arrested early this week are facing charges of extortion after allegedly soliciting money from program beneficiaries.
According to Samuel Mbabazi, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Kisembo allegedly extorted over Sh7 million from beneficiaries before his arrest.
“In a dramatic turn of events, Kisembo barricaded himself inside his house, threatening to commit suicide to avoid arrest. However, we managed to apprehend him and have him taken into custody,” said Kisembo.
In a separate incident, Stanley Odeke, the Chairperson Tuyungane group in Mpumwe Parish Kigumba sub county was arrested for extorting Sh800,000 from four PDM beneficiaries.
Each victim was asked to pay Sh200,000 to be considered for a Sh1 million loan.
Mbabazi revealed that a whistleblower, a woman who had been asked for the same amount, came forward and exposed Odeke’s scheme.
“Under interrogation, Odeke claimed he wasn’t the sole beneficiary of the extorted funds,” added Mbabazi.
According to Mbabazi they have recovered the Sh800,000 extorted by Odeke and they’re planning to return it to the victims.
Both suspects are currently held at Kiryandongo Central Police Station, awaiting arraignment in court.
Mbabazi emphasized that the district is tackling numerous extortion cases related to the PDM program, with several arrests and prosecutions already made.
He credited the success to sensitization efforts, which have empowered the public to provide feedback and report suspicious activities.
“As the district continues to grapple with these cases, I urge anyone who has fallen victim to report incidents and cooperate with the authorities,” he said.
In April this year, four individuals were also arrested over the alleged theft of Shs 1 million meant for beneficiaries PDM.
They include Juliet Katusabe, the Town Agent for Northern Ward in Kiryandongo Town Council; Edward Katusiime, a PDM Enterprise Leader from Mukonogum Cell; Mary Atim, a Secretary in the Kiryandongo District Production Department; and a SACCO leader, identified only as Anguliga.
Investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly used the national identification card (ID) details of Oliva Katusiime, a resident of Runyanya Village, to fraudulently register and withdraw PDM funds without her knowledge.
The matter came to light when Katusiime reported to the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), stating that her mobile phone, SIM card, and photocopies of her ID had been used without her consent.
The Parish Development Model was launched in February 2022 to help lift 3.5 million households in Uganda out of poverty and transition them into the money economy.
Under the program, each beneficiary receives a soft loan of Shs 1 million to invest in enterprises such as coffee growing, dairy farming, fish farming, piggery, and poultry keeping.
The PDM forms a key part of Uganda’s Third National Development Plan [NDP III]. It focuses on last-mile service delivery at the parish level, with the aim of deepening decentralisation, increasing household incomes, and promoting inclusive socioeconomic transformation.
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