By Our reporter
KATAKWI
In order to deliver the value of PDM in various communities in Uganda, a team from PDM Secretariat on the afternoon 3rd of October 2024 arrested Katakwi Town council technical team for Cash Extortion from communities to the tune of 40 Million shillings.
The arrest followed numerous complaints from various residents in Katakwi town council over the way one can access PDM money.
Hon. Joveline Kalisa, the Deputy national coordinator for PDM Uganda said the arrests follow massive complaints from the community in Katakwi who stated that many parish chiefs have put their relatives to benefit from PDM, leaving other people out.
Hon. Kalisa has urged members of the public to report such cases of misconduct from the civil servants to relevant authorities so that they will be arrested.
Dr. Sunday Nickson, a national economist with the PDM Secretariat, said the directive follows a concern lodged by the State Minister of Education and Sports (SPORTS) Hon. Peter Ogwang who says, some technical staff at the parish level connive with chairpersons of PDM SACCOS and divert money meant for right beneficiaries.
With the recently added pillar eight (8) of PDM which calls for arrests, the team directed all security teams in Katakwi to immediately attend the community meeting, hence calling for the arrest of the parish chief and his team.
The arrested include; Southern Ward parish Chief, Anthony Inangolet, Akeemo Doreen Susan, treasurer and Ikabat Emmanuel, Secretary.
The report also shows that 4million was sent to four Family members who included; Proscovia Akello, James Patrick Akello, Anna Christine Akol and Marita Akello. The said persons above dodged the meeting for unknown reasons.
“The chairperson of the PDM, Adyebo Susan took my National Identity card and a SIM card then made her close persons benefit Instead of me” a victim, Christine Akiteng told the PDM team.
However, LCV Chairman Katakwi district Hon Geoffrey Omolo when contacted criticized the act and urges communities to be vigilant via governmental developmental programs.
PDM, (parish development model)
The PDM initiative was launched by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on 26th February 2022 in the eastern district of Kibuku.
The main aim of the Parish Development Model is to increase Household incomes and improve quality of life of Ugandans with a specific focus on the total economic transformation of the Households through getting Ugandans out of the subsistence economy into the money economy within 5 years.
Who qualifies for PDM in Uganda?
In the case of an existing, group, it should fulfil the following criteria to be eligible under the PDM; a) The group has a commercial orientation (e.g. formed for purposes of carrying out commercial activities at any node of the recommended value chain) and is engaged in active income generating activities.
Among other seven pillars are; Production, storage, processing and marketing, Infrastructure and economic services, Financial inclusion and Social services.
