By Abaho Badru
A team from the Office of the National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has launched a fact-finding mission into alleged corruption and mismanagement of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Kibinge Subcounty, Bukomansimbi District.
The monitoring team, led by Regional Coordinator Ms. Nakeeya Hellen, included Ms. Namisango Harriet (Kalagala), Mr. Kato Paul Nsaso (Bukomansimbi), and Mr. Abaho Badru, the Media Coordinator. Their visit followed a wave of complaints from residents and intended beneficiaries of the PDM program.
During community engagements, residents raised serious concerns, including claims that Parish Chiefs have been demanding bribes to release funds. Disturbingly, some individuals who reportedly paid these bribes never received the funds. It was also alleged that Parish Chiefs have been working with brokers to collect illicit payments, in total violation of the PDM’s zero-cost policy.
Further complaints pointed to dysfunction within the Parish Development Committees, which residents described as “dormant” and ineffective. This alleged vacuum in leadership has paved the way for political players to influence the selection of beneficiaries, sidelining the original guidelines of transparency and equity. The SACCO Boards, too, were accused of failing to offer strategic oversight and direction.
Perhaps most alarming, several non-residents and unqualified individuals, including well-off persons, were said to have received PDM funds—allegedly after bribing both the Parish Chiefs and Parish Development Committees—contrary to the program’s objective of targeting the economically marginalized.
In response, Ms. Namisango Harriet called on all PDM stakeholders to strictly follow established procedures, emphasizing the importance of enterprise group-led beneficiary selection without political or financial interference.
Mr. Kato Paul Nsaso reminded residents and local leaders that the PDM was created to uplift the 39% of Ugandans living below the poverty line, not to enrich those already well-off. He implored community members to report any instances of extortion, stressing that the PDM program is free and no one should be asked to pay any fee to access the funds.
Taking a firm stance, Ms. Nakeeya Hellen directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to open a General Enquiry File (GEF) against all individuals implicated in the alleged misconduct. She underscored the unwavering commitment of President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM to improving the social and economic welfare of ordinary Ugandans through programs like PDM, Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP).
She further urged Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) to impose serious disciplinary measures—beyond mere transfers—on Parish Chiefs who abuse their roles in such transformative programs.
The intervention by the NRM team was warmly welcomed by residents, who expressed gratitude for the swift action. They also appealed to President Museveni to consider increasing PDM funding beyond the current UGX 100 million per parish, especially in urban areas, to expand the program’s reach and impact.
The Office of the National Chairman has pledged to continue monitoring implementation and ensuring that government programs truly reach their intended beneficiaries.
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