By Weswa Ronnie
OBONGI
At least 18 parish chiefs in Obongi District have been interdicted over the alleged mismanagement and misappropriation of Shs163 million under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
The officers are accused of including 163 ghost and ineligible beneficiaries on PDM lists, potentially exposing funds meant for legitimate beneficiaries to abuse.
According to interdiction letters issued by Obongi District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Benson Otim Humphrey on October 30, 2026, the affected officers began receiving the notices on November 3.
Among those interdicted are two officials who were serving as acting Senior Assistant Chief Administrative Officers of Itula and Aliba sub-counties.
Obongi has 28 parishes and has received more than Shs11.4 billion under the government’s poverty alleviation programme since its rollout.
Otim confirmed the interdictions, saying the action followed reports from security agencies, particularly the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), and was taken after the deadline for implementing the recommended administrative action had elapsed.
“The Office of the Resident District Commissioner wrote to me formally requesting my office to take appropriate legal action against the implicated staff,” Otim said.
He explained that the interdictions could only be reversed through established administrative procedures, adding that the relevant laws and regulations would guide the handling of the matter.
Otim said the case involves 18 public officers and requires coordination among several offices, including the RDC, the Police Criminal Investigations Directorate, the CAO’s office and the District Rewards and Sanctions Committee.
He was quick to clarify, however, that interdiction does not amount to a final disciplinary decision and that the affected officers would have an opportunity to defend themselves through the established administrative processes.
Obongi District LC V Chairperson, Hajji Abibu Buga Khemis warned that the interdictions could affect service delivery if the matter is not resolved promptly, noting that administrative proceedings could take considerable time.
“I call for the matter to be handled expeditiously and in accordance with established legal and administrative procedures. Delays in resolving the matter could prolong the interdictions,” Abibu said.
He said that, as a political leader, one of his responsibilities was to advise the CAO on matters affecting the district and service delivery.
Obongi Deputy Resident District Commissioner Paul Abaho said his office identified irregularities during a routine security monitoring exercise and subsequently wrote to the CAO requesting action against the implicated officials.
“During our routine security monitoring exercise, we unearthed irregularities and corruption in the implementation of the PDM programme in Obongi District. We wrote to the CAO requesting him to use the established legal procedures to discipline the implicated officials,” Abaho said.
He said the government would not tolerate public officers who engage in corruption and undermine the PDM, which is intended to improve household incomes through wealth creation and poverty reduction.
