Women from different villages in Gombe Division, Nansana Municipality, staged a protest at the division headquarters, accusing government officials of collecting money from them with promises that they would receive funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM), but they say they have never received the money.
The protesters, led by Kizanye Sylvia and mainly from Katalemwa Parish, said they were asked to pay money to facilitate access to the PDM funds but have been waiting in vain.
“We paid the money because we were assured that we would receive PDM funds, but up to now we have not received anything,” Kizanye said.
She added that members of groups including Tuli Bumu Piggery and Suubi Poultry Group each contributed about Shs70,000 after being promised Shs1 million under the PDM programme.
“Our members paid approximately Shs70,000 each after being told they would receive Shs 1 million through PDM, but none of them has received the money,” she said.
The women demanded refunds, noting that some of the payments were made as far back as 2024 without any assistance being provided.
During the protest, Gombe Division Mayor Hawa Mbabazi addressed the demonstrators and said anyone found to have illegally collected money from residents should refund it.
“Anyone who took money from these women must return it,” Mbabazi said.
She assured the protesters that the division leadership would follow up the matter to ensure those affected receive justice.
Mbabazi also instructed the women to register their telephone contacts so authorities could continue engaging them as investigations progress.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Gombe Division administration or officials accused of collecting the money were not immediately successful.
