State House Arrests Lira PDM Boss For Obtaining Money by False Pretense!

By Frank Kamuntu

State House Anti-Corruption Unit yesterday working with Police arrested and arraigned Sarah Atim, the Chairperson of Ipito Aweno PDM SACCO in Lira City before the Lira Chief Magistrates Court on charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretense.

The accused being the chairperson of Ipito Aweno PDM SACCO in Lira City West division, has allegedly been obtaining money from various chairpersons of PDM groups claiming that she is in charge of the online registration of these groups wherenot. She has been remanded until 14/06/2024.  

The Parish Development Model (PDM) is a government-led initiative in Uganda aimed at transforming subsistence households into the money economy and lifting 17.5 million Ugandans in 3.5 million households out of poverty. This ambitious program was launched on 26 February 2022 in the eastern district of Kibuku by the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni. The PDM seeks to improve service delivery and alleviate poverty at the grassroots level by empowering communities to take charge of their own development.

Here are some key points about the Parish Development Model:

1. Integrated Approach: The PDM involves mobilizing communities and empowering them to identify and prioritize their needs. It is anchored on the concept of the parish as the smallest unit of government administration and service delivery in Uganda. Each parish develops a Parish Development Plan (PDP) through a consultative process involving local government officials, community leaders, and members.
2. Holistic Development: The PDM addresses social, economic, and environmental aspects of poverty. It aims to improve access to basic services such as health, education, water, and sanitation, while also promoting economic opportunities and environmental sustainability.
3. Seven Pillars: The Parish Development Model is based on seven fundamental pillars:
   • Production: Focusing on agricultural and other productive activities.
   • Storage, Processing, and Marketing: Enhancing value chains and market access.
   • Infrastructure and Economic Services: Improving infrastructure like roads and energy.
   • Financial Inclusion: Facilitating access to credit and financial services.
   • Social Services: Enhancing health, education, and social welfare.
   • Mindset Change: Encouraging positive attitudes toward development.
   • Parish-Based Management and Information System: Efficient governance and administration at the parish level.
4. Implementation: The PDM is being implemented through a multi-sectoral approach involving various government ministries, departments, and agencies. The Ministry of Local Government in Uganda leads the coordination at the national level, while districts and parishes handle implementation locally. Support includes capacity building, infrastructure provision, and access to credit facilities.
5. Policy and Legal Framework: The implementation of the PDM is guided by constitutional provisions related to decentralization and local government units.

This morning, @AntiGraft_SH together with @CID1_UG and @ODPPUGANDA have arraigned Sarah Atim, the Chairperson of Ipito Aweno PDM SACCO in Lira City before the Lira Chief Magistrates Court on charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretense.

The accused being the chairperson of… pic.twitter.com/MDUsuF7LSr

— Anti Corruption Unit – State House Uganda (@AntiGraft_SH) June 1, 2024

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