Julius Mulamba, the Chairperson of Muweebwa PDM SACCO in Kamuli, is now in handcuffs instead of a power suit. The 35 year-old, who once dazzled as Kamuli District Youth Chairperson is now an unwilling guest in the comfortable cells of Kamuli Central Police Station (CPS).
Mulamba’s downfall came after accusations of swindling unsuspecting beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM). The scam, which might have made even the most seasoned con artists blush, involved officials allegedly demanding between UGX 80,000 and UGX 400,000 from hopeful PDM recipients. In exchange, they promised these individuals a place on the coveted beneficiaries’ list, a promise as empty as a boda boda’s fuel tank after a long ride.
According to Busoga North Police Spokesperson Michael Kasadha, the scandal was uncovered when victims, who felt more duped than the crowds at a Kwanjula feast, turned to Kamuli Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Rose Birungi. They complained that the promised list of beneficiaries for June 2024 was about as real as a mirage in the Karamoja deserts.
Kasadha noted, “Over 30 people reported being duped by the officials, who promised to include them on the beneficiary list for the June 2024 PDM distribution. Naturally, this list never materialized.”
The drama unfolded in front of a curious crowd at Kamuli CPS, where Mulamba, once an influential youth leader, was escorted through the gates. He was ordered to shed his shoes and belt before being shown to his new quarters behind bars.
By the time the dust settled, nearly 40 victims had lodged complaints against Mulamba. The charges against him include fraudulent acquisition of money, sabotaging a government program, abuse of office, and corruption.
Among the aggrieved are Fiida Mutesi, who forked out UGX 100,000, Edson Mukembo with UGX 400,000, Annet Namuganza and Agnes Nakiryowa both with UGX 80,000 each, Ayub Musa and Timothy Kirevu with UGX 100,000 each, Sharif Mushada with UGX 150,000, and Geoffrey Sooka with UGX 200,000. It seems the SACCO office had more “riches” than a Mogadishu market during a gold rush.
RDC Birungi, who acted faster than a hawk spotting a meal, ordered the SACCO office to close its doors. She described the arrest as timely, especially with President Yoweri Museveni waging a war against corruption. “We are on the lookout for cases where SACCO leaders have pocketed funds meant for the poor. The incident in Kamuli is just one of many,” Birungi said.
This arrest comes hot on the heels of similar crackdowns on five Parish Chiefs over the past three months. It seems corruption has become as common as the potholes on Uganda’s roads.
For now, Mulamba’s days of dispensing PDM cash are over, replaced by the uncomfortable reality of police interrogation.
