Eleven beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Kigege Parish, Nakaseke District, have recovered Shs10 million after their group secretary was arrested over the alleged misappropriation of funds meant to improve their livelihoods.
The beneficiaries accused their group secretary, Joshua Zaake, of fraudulently diverting Shs11 million that had been disbursed under the government's PDM programme.
Speaking on behalf of the affected members, the group's chairperson said they were left stranded after discovering that the money intended to transform their households had allegedly been stolen.
"We entrusted the secretary with the group's affairs, but instead he allegedly diverted the money that belonged to all of us. We appealed to our leaders for help because we wanted justice and the return of our funds," the chairperson said.
The beneficiaries reported the matter to their area councillor, Benjamin Makanga, who escalated the complaint to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Rosemary Bashaija.
According to district officials, the RDC immediately ordered a manhunt for Zaake, who was later arrested by police and detained.
Following his arrest, Zaake was directed to refund the money he had allegedly misappropriated. RDC Bashaija, together with officials from the PDM Secretariat, supervised the recovery process to ensure the affected beneficiaries received their money.
A total of Shs10 million was recovered and handed back to the beneficiaries, while efforts to recover the remaining Shs1 million are ongoing.
Councillor Benjamin Makanga commended the coordinated efforts by security agencies and district leaders that led to the recovery of the funds. He urged local leaders to remain vigilant in protecting government programmes from abuse.
"We worked closely with security and district leaders to ensure these beneficiaries recovered their money. I encourage all leaders to be watchful and respond quickly whenever such complaints arise," Makanga said.
RDC Rosemary Bashaija strongly condemned the alleged theft of PDM funds, warning that public officials and group leaders who misuse government resources will face the full force of the law.
"The Parish Development Model is intended to improve household incomes, not to enrich dishonest individuals. Anyone found stealing or misusing these funds will be arrested and prosecuted," Bashaija warned.
Leaders who attended the meeting also condemned the alleged misappropriation of PDM funds, describing it as an act that undermines government efforts to eradicate poverty through community-based development programmes.