Police in Oyam district are holding three former leaders of a PDM SACCO accused of embezzling government funds meant for the Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries.

The suspects allegedly created over 35 ghost beneficiaries who were not genuine residents of the area. According to the Assistant RDC of Oyam, Patrick Ocen, the non-existent beneficiaries were used to divert the funds.

Speaking on Saturday in a phone interview, Commissioner Ocen explained that the fraudulent scheme was planned and executed by the former leaders before the new leadership assumed office.

He stated that investigations into the arrests show the ghost beneficiaries were paid in phases. In the first phase, about 22 ghost beneficiaries received approximately shs22 million.

In the second phase, an additional 15 ghost beneficiaries received shs15 million.

Ocen identified the arrested suspects as Mirriam Otucu, former chairperson of Eastern Ward Loro Town Council PDM SACCO, who has since returned a tablet, Akello Winifred, former chairperson of Central Ward PDM SACCO; and Olwa Bonny, the first former chairperson of the same ward.

Several other suspects are still at large, including Angwech Topista, former town agent for Central Ward; Owor Robert, former town clerk; and both the treasurer and general secretary of Central Ward PDM SACCO, among others.

The Assistant RDC added that the arrests took place on Tuesday, September 15, following a report by the new leaders who took over office and discovered that about shs35 million had been given to ghost beneficiaries.

Ocen said the investigation began after the SACCO failed to account for the money given to them, prompting a review that revealed ghost names had been included in their SACCO groups.

Following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta on the matter, the Office of the RDC in Oyam district has warned PDM leaders to take note of the President’s pronouncement that “this term is Kisanja No more Sleep,” and to desist from PDM management malpractices.

They are urged to follow the PDM implementation guidelines to the latter. The operations to unearth corruption in PDM implementation will continue, and the sooner leaders and other stakeholders stop these malpractices, the better.

Two days ago, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit also arrested the Lira RDC, Lillian Eyal, together with her assistant, over similar allegations of mismanaging government PDM funds.

The funds are meant to benefit all parishes across the country and help local communities escape poverty.

Also read: Why did the State House arrest Lira RDC Lillian Eyal?

Her arrest followed complaints raised by over 50 members of the Tetyang PDM SACCO during a baraza held by officials from the Ministry of Economic Monitoring in Lira district.

According to the complaints, beneficiaries were invited to a PDM launch presided over by the Assistant RDC, Okello Richard, and the District PDM Focal Person, Okello Michael. A company dealing in agricultural inputs was also present at the launch.

The beneficiaries further alleged that their mobile phones were confiscated by the SACCO Secretary, Moro Dickens, and their shs1 million PDM funds were withdrawn.

Between shs400,000 and shs840,000 was reportedly deducted from each beneficiary to pay for agricultural inputs, with the remaining balance given to them in cash.