Namuwenge issued this directive while chairing a stakeholders' meeting with PDM beneficiaries at Bududa district headquarters Tuesday. The meeting was organized by PDM and Emyooga programs officials, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, who are currently in the Bugisu Sub-region to assess the progress and implementation of the programs.
The National Coordinator of Emyooga, who also serves as the Parish Development Model (PDM) Consultant, Ms. Ritah Namuwenge, has ordered immediate investigations into several parish chiefs in Bududa district for allegedly extorting money from various PDM SACCOs. Reports indicate that these parish chiefs have been soliciting bribes ranging from Shs30,000 to Shs100,000 from each member as kickbacks.
Namuwenge issued this directive while chairing a stakeholders' meeting with PDM beneficiaries at Bududa district headquarters Tuesday. The meeting was organized by PDM and Emyooga programs officials, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, who are currently in the Bugisu Sub-region to assess the progress and implementation of the programs.
"The parish chiefs and Parish Development Committees (PDCs) are not adhering to the PDM guidelines. Why extort money from these vulnerable people? I have instructed the RDC to obtain statements from the beneficiaries who were extorted," said Namuwenge.
She added that she will be visiting the sub-counties to conduct follow-ups and ensure that the program is reaching and benefiting the intended people. Additionally, she directed the PDM SACCO leaders to stop the bureaucracy in the PDM funds distribution and to ensure that the money reaches the people.
This intervention followed several concerns raised during the meeting, with information indicating that some parish chiefs have been demanding up to Shs100,000 as kickbacks. The residents supported Namuwenge’s call to arrest the corrupt parish chiefs and PDM members.
Peter Womaniala, a PDM beneficiary, alleged that the parish chiefs and SACCO leaders have become a significant problem. “If you complain, they start intimidating us, threatening not to give us the money. They start asking for money between Shs10,000, Shs20,000, up to Shs100,000 until you give up on the program. They even collect phones belonging to the beneficiaries and demand kickbacks before returning the phones,” Womaniala said.
Elijah Madoi, the Bududa Resident District Commissioner-RDC, warned the parish chiefs to stop extorting money from beneficiaries. "As the chief monitor of government programs in the district, I urge you to report such cases of extortion to my office," Madoi said. "If I catch anyone extorting money from PDM beneficiaries, they will be arrested and face the law. Don’t think that you can just refund the money and escape punishment."
Rahim Kisuyi, an economist from the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MOFPED), appealed to the beneficiaries to invest the money in productive activities. "A wise man invests his money where it multiplies, and money moves from a fool to the wise. If you invest this money wisely, it will return with profits. We will ensure you become rich," Kisuyi said.
Julius Wanasolo Wambate, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Administrative Officer Martin Kibulangati, criticized locals for offering bribes to parish chiefs, despite knowing that the program is free. He stated that in the next phase of PDM and Emyooga, they plan to arrest both the beneficiaries and the extortionists. Wambate emphasized that they are launching an investigation into the matter to develop a final administrative response.
Weswa Ronnie
Freelancer