The National Coordinator of the Parish Development Model (PDM), Dennis Galabuzi Ssozi, has urged citizens, media practitioners, and community leaders to actively participate in the ongoing process of electing parish-level leaders, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Ssozi acknowledged concerns about irregularities affecting the integrity of the program in some areas and warned that those involved in misconduct will be held accountable.
“Government is aware that the integrity of the Parish Development Model has been compromised in certain parishes through practices such as fraud and irregular inclusion of ineligible individuals,” he said.
He explained that some beneficiary lists have included non-residents and individuals who do not qualify as subsistence households, undermining the intended purpose of the initiative.
He also raised concern about reports of beneficiaries being asked to pay unauthorized fees to access funds.
“No fees should be charged at any stage. Any form of extortion is illegal and will not be tolerated,” Ssozi emphasized.
To strengthen the credibility of the process, Ssozi highlighted the role of the vetting committee elected during the initial phase of the Special General Meeting.
The committee is tasked with verifying the suitability of aspiring leaders by assessing their financial discipline, integrity, and residency status.“The vetting committee must ensure that only individuals of good character and genuine connection to the parish are cleared to contest,” he noted.
He added that the committee’s findings must be presented before elections can proceed, ensuring that the process remains transparent and credible.
The PDM Secretariat outlined that the first phase of the process involves a Special General Meeting where members of PDM SACCOs are trained on governance frameworks, including bye-laws, the Cooperative Societies Act, and their rights and responsibilities.
The phase also includes reviewing and updating operational guidelines, registering new members, and setting criteria for leadership selection.Interested candidates are required to collect and return expression of interest forms within seven days, after which the vetting process will take place.
Ssozi further clarified that beneficiaries of the Parish Revolving Fund are expected to repay funds within a three-year grace period, noting that no defaults have been recorded so far since the repayment timelines have not yet matured.
“Repayment is structured to allow beneficiaries adequate time to utilize the funds productively before returning them,” he explained.
Elections are expected to be concluded before June 30, 2026, and officials emphasized that leadership positions within the PDM framework are voluntary and do not attract monthly salaries.
The government also revealed that more than three trillion Uganda shillings has already been disbursed to beneficiaries nationwide under the program, reflecting its scale and importance in supporting household incomes.“This is a major national initiative, and its success depends on integrity, active participation, and responsible leadership at the community level,” Ssozi noted.
Authorities are now calling on all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring that the process remains fair, inclusive, and aligned with the goals of improving livelihoods across the country.