Mbale district officials interdicted over PDM funds
She urged other parish chiefs to take note of this case and uphold the integrity of government programs.
Mbale: Two district officials in Mbale have been interdicted following a declaration from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Luke Lukoda.
The officers, Esther Khawaka, town agent of Kitagulu Ward in Jewa Town Council, and Martine Walela, parish chief of Lumbuku in Busiu Sub County, were interdicted due to irregularities in the Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
Lukoda announced that Walele, while serving as town agent in Nakyanikile Ward earlier this year, was involved in extorting money from PDM beneficiaries and included ineligible individuals on the PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) lists for personal gain. He was also accused of adding eight ghost beneficiaries to the PDM list while at Nakyanikile.
Esther Khawaka faces similar accusations, having allegedly extorted 15 million shillings from beneficiaries of the Bufukhula parish PDM SACCO during her time as parish chief.
The CAO and district PDM focal person, Gorge Wanakina, conducted an investigation following reports of the misconduct, leading to the officers’ interdiction. Wanakina confirmed that the letters had been handed over and emphasized that the officers would remain away from their duties while investigations are ongoing.
Naume Nakawala, the resident district commissioner, highlighted that four parish chiefs have faced disciplinary action since the PDM program’s inception, with two having refunded the money they extorted. She urged other parish chiefs to take note of this case and uphold the integrity of government programs.
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