By Frank Kamuntu
The Koboko Chief Magistrates Court has convicted and sentenced John Taban Moro, a Parish Chief in Leku Parish, Drania Subcounty, to six months in prison for stealing funds meant for the Parish Development Model (PDM), a flagship government program aimed at eradicating poverty at the grassroots.
Taban pleaded guilty to the charge of theft and was immediately handed the custodial sentence. He was also ordered by the court to refund the stolen funds, which he has since done.
The conviction followed a thorough investigation led by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Investigators found that Taban had misappropriated millions of shillings, channeling unauthorized PDM payments to members of his own family—including his father, brothers, and sister-in-law.
This act was a blatant violation of the PDM operational guidelines, which strictly bar civil servants and their household members from benefiting directly from the funds. The PDM initiative was designed to uplift vulnerable households by providing capital for income-generating activities, and any misuse undermines its mission.
In delivering the sentence, the Chief Magistrate issued a stern warning to all public servants: theft of funds earmarked for poverty eradication will not be tolerated. The court emphasized that the integrity of national programs like PDM must be protected at all costs.
The sentencing of Taban Moro is a significant step in the government’s ongoing fight against corruption at the local level, and a clear message that abuse of office for personal gain will be met with serious legal consequences.
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