Bududa Parish Chief Remanded for Misuse of Poverty Alleviation Funds

(Bududa) – Two officials, including a parish chief, have been remanded by the Bududa Chief Magistrates Court on charges of mishandling funds allocated under the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM). This follows accusations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) in collaboration with the Criminal Investigation Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.

According to a statement issued by SHACU on Thursday, October 17, 2024, the accused individuals, Kassim Wakoko and Francis Nakhaima, were presented before the court for their alleged involvement in defrauding PDM beneficiaries. Wakoko, the parish chief of Bunandutu, faces charges of obtaining money by false pretenses after allegedly misappropriating significant sums from members of the Bunandutu PDM SACCO. He is accused of falsely claiming that the money was required for processing their funds, which turned out to be untrue.

The PDM, a government initiative designed to alleviate poverty, aims to transition 39% of Ugandan households, approximately 3.5 million families, from subsistence farming to a cash-based economy. The strategy forms a critical part of the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s broader mission to deliver socioeconomic transformation through key sectors such as commercial agriculture, services, ICT, and industrialization. However, concerns have been raised by local leaders regarding the feasibility of this initiative, particularly questioning the wisdom of distributing small amounts, such as one million Ugandan shillings, to individuals in need.

Nakhaima, who also faces charges, is accused of making false claims and submitting misleading reports regarding the distribution of PDM funds. As a public servant, Nakhaima was expected to ensure accurate record-keeping and correct statements on the status of the Bumakita PDM SACCO funds. However, it is alleged that he registered individuals who were not legitimate beneficiaries. Several other individuals implicated in the case remain at large.

Both Wakoko and Nakhaima have been remanded until November 11, 2024, pending further legal proceedings. Their case is part of a larger investigation into the misuse of PDM funds, which has seen several local officials, including chiefs, town clerks, and businesspeople, arraigned in court over similar allegations.

The issue of PDM fund mismanagement has attracted national attention since March 2023, when President Yoweri Museveni ordered SHACU to investigate allegations of extortion and fund mismanagement in the Acholi sub-region. During a recent visit to Gulu City, the President was confronted with numerous complaints and testimonies from locals, highlighting the misuse of the wealth creation campaign. Expressing concern over the campaign’s potential failure, the President vowed to monitor the implementation of PDM more closely and to address irregularities that threaten its success.

In April 2024, President Museveni began an intensive review of the PDM to eliminate gaps and prevent further exploitation of the system. The program’s success is seen as crucial for Uganda’s long-term economic development, but the recurring issues of fund mismanagement continue to undermine its objectives.

The two remanded suspects are just the latest in a series of cases that point to the ongoing struggle in effectively managing and distributing funds meant for Uganda’s rural development. As the investigation continues, the government remains committed to ensuring that those responsible for the mismanagement are held accountable.