40 Arrested as Security Pursues PDM Fraud Suspects in Lango

In February 2025, President Museveni expressed concern over reports of corruption within the programme during his tour of the Lango subregion, where he assessed the progress of government initiatives.

Over 40 individuals have been arrested as security agencies in the Lango subregion intensify their efforts to track down suspects involved in the mismanagement of funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM).

This follows a directive from President Museveni, instructing the Inspector General of Police to reactivate investigations into fraud cases related to the PDM, Uganda’s flagship programme aimed at eradicating poverty by providing funds directly to beneficiaries at the parish level.

In February 2025, President Museveni expressed concern over reports of corruption within the programme during his tour of the Lango subregion, where he assessed the progress of government initiatives.

He referenced a report by the late Brigadier General Charles Oluka, highlighting how several officials had been arrested for extortion but later released on police bond.

Following the president's directive to cancel the police bonds, more than 40 individuals, including public servants, have been rearrested in connection with the alleged misuse of PDM funds.

North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, confirmed that many of the suspects are sub-county chiefs, GISO (Government Internal Security Officers), and SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperative) executives.

In Alebtong District, six suspects were arrested, with three already arraigned before court and remanded on charges of theft and extortion.

The remaining three cases are still under investigation.

“We have been able to recover some money during the process of interrogations,” Okema said, noting that some of the suspects had added the names of their relatives and friends to the PDM beneficiary lists.

In Lira City, Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Egole revealed that seven individuals have been rearrested, and security is continuing to track down the remaining suspects.

“Three are still at large. From the time the president made the directive, they took off, but we are looking for them. Wherever they run, we shall get them,” Egole said.

Local leaders have raised concerns about the conflicting guidelines issued by the central government, which they believe hindered the smooth implementation of the programme.

Lira City Mayor Sam Atul welcomed the president's directive, calling it a step towards ensuring fairness in the distribution of PDM funds.

"It is so unfortunate that there are people who by all standards shouldn’t have been getting this money. I'm asking our people that let us be fair to ourselves and allow those being targeted to benefit from the programme,” he said.

Launched in 2022, the PDM has faced significant challenges, with corruption and mismanagement affecting its first phase in various parts of the country.

The latest arrests and investigations mark a significant push to address these issues and restore public confidence in the programme.