SERERE – Police have arrested 13 individuals in connection with irregularities in the handling of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Serere, Amudat, and Moroto districts. The arrests come after President Yoweri Museveni issued a strong warning against theft and misappropriation of PDM funds during his regional tours.
In Serere, police investigated the theft of PDM money in Kadungulu Sub County. Preliminary findings revealed that some individuals had their national identity cards used to register for PDM benefits without their knowledge. Others received money meant for one person per household, while a civil servant also benefited from the fund despite not being entitled.
Eight suspects were apprehended in Serere, including the LC3 Chairperson of Kadungulu Sub County, Eluru Sam, and the Chairperson of Iruko PDM SACCO, Eyobu Simon.
In Amudat, four Parish Chiefs were arrested for allegedly deleting names of deserving beneficiaries and replacing them with ineligible individuals.
Additionally, police in Moroto arrested Moru Joyce, a 52-year-old Treasurer of a SACCO, for exploiting an 84-year-old woman’s advanced age to deceive her into applying for PDM funds.
“We take these cases very seriously and will ensure that all those involved in the mismanagement of PDM funds are brought to justice,” said ACP Kituuma Rusoke, police spokesperson.
“We urge the public to report any suspicious activities related to PDM funds to the nearest police station.”
