Kole North Member of Parliament, Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti, has called upon the head of security in the district to initiate a thorough investigation into certain PDM leaders.
Some leaders are currently facing legal action over allegations of sexual and financial exploitation, as well as extortion of funds from various SACCO groups.
Dr. Acuti made these remarks on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Kole district headquarters while presenting his findings following the recent arrest of a man identified as Okello. The accused serves as the chairperson of the Ayamo Parish SACCO groups.
Okello is accused of abusing his office by manipulating beneficiary selection, extorting money, and exploiting women.
Acuti noted that the Inspectorate of Government has since taken up investigations into the matter. He warned that the shs50 million earmarked for the parish SACCO risks being lost if immediate action is not taken.
Speaking to our reporter in a phone interview on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Catherine Acen, a member of the Ayamo PDM group, stated that due to pressure from Kole leaders following the numerous allegations against the chairperson, Okello sent his brother, who also doubles as the secretary, Jimmy Ebong, to give her the money in Lira town near Bank of Africa.
She noted that previously, Okello had told her that he had already given her the money.
She also thanked Kole North MP Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti for his follow-up on the matter, which deeply concerned the local community.
According to her, Opio is “a true leader sent by God to save the people of Kole North,” adding that without his intervention, most SACCO members would not have received their PDM funds.
Last week, Police in Kole district arrested Tom Okello, the chairperson of Ayamo PDM SACCO in Okwerodot sub-county, following serious accusations of extorting money from beneficiaries and demanding sexual favors in exchange for access to PDM funds.
Members of the Ayamo PDM SACCO reportedly approached the MP with complaints against Okello, prompting immediate action.
According to the accusers, Okello collected beneficiaries’ phones and demanded their mobile money PINs. He allegedly extorted sums ranging from shs150,000 to shs200,000 from group members as a precondition for accessing the government-provided PDM funds, which are intended to alleviate poverty.
Additional allegations indicate that Okello abused his position by appointing a relative as the SACCO secretary without holding any formal meeting, a move intended to facilitate unchecked access to funds.
Several female members, particularly young women, accused him of demanding sexual favors in return for approving their access to PDM money.
They also revealed irregularities, including the unlawful removal of the elected secretary, Lydia Aceng, and her replacement with Felton Ojok, before later appointing Jimmy Ebong, reportedly a relative.
Some legitimate beneficiaries, including Katherine Acen and Robinah Akoli, reportedly did not receive any funds, while individuals from outside Ayamo Parish—including from Lira, Otuke, and Apac districts—were allegedly added as beneficiaries of the Ayamo SACCO groups.
Kia Sarah, a resident, claimed that Okello and other male PDM leaders asked her for sex. When she refused, she said they succeeded in obtaining shs180,000 from her as a bribe, yet she was still denied the PDM money.
During the meeting, the vice LC5 chairperson, Moses Angor Ongom, also criticized sections of the community for offering bribes to SACCO leaders, stating that the practice has fueled corruption within the system.
He added that several community members backed the allegations revealed by MP Acuti, claiming Okello personally collected money from them or sent agents to do so on his behalf.
Assistant RDC Patricia Ajok blamed some community members for failing to attend earlier parish meetings where the issues could have been addressed sooner.
According to Geoffrey Okidi, Senior Assistant Secretary of Okwerodot sub-county, the area comprises eight parishes and has received a total of shs2.8 billion under the PDM program, benefiting 2,856 people.
He added that similar complaints of extortion have also been reported in Lela Kot and Abongo Jok parishes but have been resolved with immediate efforts. In Ayamo Parish, there are 14 SACCOs, which have received shs357.8 million, though eight have recorded complaints.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as leaders push for accountability and reforms in the management of PDM funds.
Meanwhile, Maja Aldo Alele, who is leading the operations for wealth creation in Kole district, stated that in accordance with the directive from President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta regarding the PDM matter, they are still in the process of collecting additional information from Okello concerning the allegations made by his SACCO’s members against him.
Subsequently, he will be taken to court. In Ayamo PDM SACCO, over 26 members have already reported their concerns to the police regarding the chair of their SACCO.
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