The Masaka Resident City Commissioner, Hudu Hussein Kahamba has cautioned Parish Development Model officials to desist from playing with the program funds, describing it as a fire that will burn their heands.
The President’s representative sounded the warning during a toutine monitoring exercise for the program in Senyange Ward, Nyendo Mukungwe in Masak City on Wednesday 7, 2024.
The team, which also comprised the Masaka Assistant Resident City Commissioner, Katumba Segawa, Assistant RCC Nyendo Mukungwe, Andrew Baba Buluba and City Internal Security Officer(CISO) Wangai Idris was visiting Senyange in the 13th monitoring exercise aimed at capturing the challenges and progress of the PDM fund across the city.
In a status report read by the area town agenda, Ms Namuddu Sharifah, it was revealed that the ward has already received Shs 200 million, with 99.4 Million already given out to beneficiaries, while shillings 100 Million is already in the Parish SACCO account awaiting system clearance by the PDMIS.
The residents complained about the delay in receiving this years money even after learning that the government has already dispatched it to the parish. Namuddu, the town agent, however, explained there has been a challenge caused by the mix up in the contact of the SACCO Chairperson, revealing that the mobile number captured for the approval of the funds release was not indeed the one he uses.
It was resolved that another number belonging to a member without any queries be presented for changes in the system to facilitate the release of the money to the beneficiaries.
In his communication, Hudu expressed concern about reports of consistent irregularities in the administration of the fund, urging the community to actively participate in weeding out all factors that my lead to the failure of the government’s anti poverty intervention. He explained that the fund was intended to spur collective development of the entire community, adding that the ward would have themselves to blame if they still lagged behind even after receiving a mammoth she 500 Million in a five year period.
” It will be a big shame if, after five years, your parish still remains behind while your neighbors are prospering. If this happened, it will be a big disappointment to the government but also yourselves after receiving she 100 Million annually for 5 years.” He remarked.
Hudu also addressed complaints against some officials who were pinned on soliciting bribes to facilitate the registration of members to benefit from the program. Members pinned their LC 2 Chairman of soliciting she 10000 from each prospective beneficiary in registration fees something that deeply upset the President’s envoy. He immediately ordered the errant leader to refund the money to the members and cautioned officials against extortion.
Hudu further encouraged members to resist opposition lies that aim at discouraging them from benefiting embracing government programs while their leaders smile to the bank every month.
” When they deceive you that you shouldn’t take part in these programs, I wonder when they receive money from the same government every month.” He wondered.
Assistant RCC Andrew Buluba reminded the beneficiaries to spend the money wisely while knowing that it is ment to be paid back.
