Police in Hoima have summoned three Parish Development Model (PDM) officials from Nyakabingo parish, Buseruka sub-county, to record statements regarding accusations of extortion.
The summoned officials include Pier Owurunga, the Nyakabingo parish LCII Chairperson, Seraji Bedijo, the PDM Chairperson for Nyakabingo parish, and Martin Sunday, a member of the Chongambe village PDM group.
Residents of Karanwang village in Nyakabingo parish raised complaints with the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), alleging that they were unfairly excluded from the PDM program despite paying 100,000 Shillings each to the officials.
In a petition dated July 9, 2023, signed by village Vice Chairperson Venansio Opio, the residents claimed that their payments did not result in inclusion in the program. They further alleged that those who paid larger sums were prioritized for benefits.
Seraji Bedijo, one of the accused officials, confirmed receipt of the summons.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson, confirmed that the trio has been summoned for statements but declined to provide further details.
The situation in Hoima is part of a broader issue affecting implementers of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the Bunyoro region, prompting district officials to halt the disbursement of 5.5 billion Shillings under the program. This decision follows widespread complaints of extortion involving parish chiefs and other local leaders in Hoima District.
Similar incidents have been reported in neighboring districts. Recently, John Ayesiga and Edward Irumba were arrested in Masindi district for allegedly extorting money from PDM beneficiaries in Muramura Village.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched the Parish Development Model in Kibuku District in February 2022, aiming to stimulate job creation and combat unemployment. The model includes pillars such as financial inclusion, infrastructure development, agricultural value chain enhancement, and community mobilization.
The PDM is designed as a revolving fund to provide low-cost loans for income-generating investments at the parish level.
