By Emmanuel Olinga
KATAKWI
At least eight (8) Parish Chiefs in Katakwi district have been detained and held in the Katakwi government prison for alleged fraud, extortion, and mismanagement of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
The victims whose names have not yet been revealed are currently in Katakwi government jails awaiting a hearing, while others whose numbers have not yet been divulged have been interdicted by the Katakwi Chief Administrative Office.
Geofrey Omolo, LCV chairperson, confirmed the arrests noting that some parish chiefs are suspected of obtaining money from PDM beneficiaries after receiving their phones, while others forged National Identification Numbers and registered nonresidents of the parish to benefit from PDM, but he also noted that some parish chiefs were arrested innocently after beneficiaries complained.
Omolo observed that PDM difficulties were particularly prevalent in the Karamoja bordering sub counties of Okore, Ngariam, and Magoro.
Omolo has also alerted civil officials, Parish Development Committees (PDCs), SACCO chairpersons, and PDM LCIs about fraud and segregation when registering in the PDM system and restocking program.
However, investigations reveal that several parish leaders in the two parishes of Oedepus or Osep were wrongfully detained after PDM beneficiaries complained, despite the fact that the problem was with Opportunity Bank, which did not pay cash to PDM beneficiaries.
Patrick Todi, District Commercial Officer Katakwi District and Coordinator for North Teso District covering Kalaki, Katakwi, Amuria, Kapelebyong, Kaberemaido, and Serere, recently revealed that incidents of PDM extortion had occurred, with some parish chiefs involved in extorting PDM funds from beneficiaries in order to benefit from the program.
