Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /usr/www/users/urnnet/a/story.php on line 43 Kapelebyong Orders Investigations into PDM Irregularities :: Uganda Radionetwork
During the Barraza, Vincent Opio, the PDM SACCO Chairperson of Oderai Ward in Acowa Town Council accused the Parish Chief and the Community Development Officer (CDO) of including ghost beneficiaries on the list of beneficiaries.
The Kapelebyong Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Tom
Olinga Otukol has ordered investigations into the alleged irregularities in the
implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program. He issued the orders at the Barraza in Acowa Town
Council on Monday following complaints from the community members on alleged
extortion, segregation, and doctoring of the final list of beneficiaries.
During the Barraza, Vincent Opio, the PDM SACCO Chairperson
of Oderai Ward in Acowa Town Council accused the Parish Chief and the Community
Development Officer (CDO) of including ghost beneficiaries on the list of beneficiaries. Opio had been reported by the residents for allegedly
conniving with other leaders in sidelining beneficiaries who had been approved
for payment.
Information in Oderai Ward indicates that 119 members
were trained, 62 approved, 48 deferred, and nine were rejected because they were
nonresidents. However, the committee was surprised to find four other
people included in the list for payment.
//Cue in: “When I got…
cue out…I was rejected.”//
In Acinga Sub County, the Parish Chiefs and the CDOs were
accused of allegedly soliciting money from every community member seeking PDM
cash. The officials reportedly picked 10,000 Shillings to enable the delivery of
cash to the sub-county, 7,000 Shillings for opening bank accounts, and 5,000
Shillings for laptop and internet services from each member seeking PDM funds.
But Opportunity Bank, which is the financial institution contracted
to serve five sub-counties including Acinga said that they don’t charge any money
for opening bank accounts for the PDM beneficiaries. The bank also delivers
cash to the beneficiaries in their respective SACCOs in the parishes, cutting
costs of transport to and from Soroti to access money. The Bank’s revelation infuriated the district leadership
prompting the RDC to order investigations. The accused officers were handed to
the Police officers who were at the Barraza to commence investigations.
//Cue in: “So what I…
cue out…anomaly is concerned.”//
Kapelebyong, like other districts in Teso, is struggling to
implement the PDM program amidst allegations of extortion and other corruption
tendencies failing the successful delivery of the program. By Monday, September 25,
2023, Kapelebyong had paid only UGX. 1.7 billion out of more than six billion
Shillings received for PDM in last financial year.
