SEMBABULE — Brigadier-General Emmanuel Rwashande has ordered officials implementing the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Lwemiyaga County to submit a comprehensive accountability report within one week following allegations of corruption and irregularities in the programme.
The legislator said he has received numerous complaints from residents claiming that some eligible beneficiaries have been excluded from the programme, while others have allegedly received less money than the amount allocated by government.
Rwashande issued the directive during a meeting at Ntuusi Sub-county headquarters attended by local leaders, councillors, Community Development Officers, PDM implementers and security personnel from across the constituency.
The meeting was convened to assess the implementation of the government's flagship poverty eradication programme and address concerns raised by residents.
During the session, Rwashande criticized what he described as widespread irregularities in the management of PDM funds and directed officials to provide detailed records of all beneficiaries, including the amounts disbursed and households yet to benefit.
"People who are supposed to receive the money are not receiving it, and those who receive it are sometimes given less than they are entitled to. We want transparency. We need to know which families received the funds, how much they received, and which families have not benefited," Rwashande said.
"This information will guide us on how to improve the programme."
The MP said accountability was critical if the Parish Development Model is to achieve its objective of lifting households out of poverty.
He also pledged to support beneficiaries to invest the funds in productive ventures such as poultry, piggery and crop farming, warning that misuse of the money undermines the programme's impact.
"We want PDM to genuinely transform people's lives. If beneficiaries invest in enterprises such as poultry, piggery or other agricultural activities, the programme will have a lasting impact," he said.
Rwashande further revealed plans to promote coffee growing in the constituency through the programme, saying increased access to coffee seedlings could help improve household incomes and reduce poverty.
Local leaders echoed concerns about the implementation of the programme, condemning reports that some beneficiaries receive less money than they are entitled to and alleging that some indigenous residents have been left out.
Others argued that some parishes are too large, with growing populations making it difficult for all eligible households to benefit. They called on the government to consider creating additional administrative units to improve service delivery.
Meanwhile, Sembabule Deputy Resident District Commissioner Faizal Sseruwagi attributed some of the reported irregularities to failures by Local Council leaders to properly verify applicants.
Sseruwagi warned that authorities would pursue individuals who fraudulently accessed PDM funds and recover any money obtained unlawfully.
"LC leaders are responsible for verifying whether applicants are genuine residents. We shall follow up on those who received the funds unlawfully. We have their identification details, and we are confident they will be traced and held accountable," he said.
The meeting comes amid growing scrutiny of the implementation of the Parish Development Model across parts of the country, with concerns ranging from beneficiary selection and accountability to the productive use of funds.
For Lwemiyaga residents, the forthcoming accountability report is expected to provide answers on who has benefited from the programme and whether the funds are reaching the intended households.