By Three leaders of a Parish Development Model (PDM) Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCO) in Luuka District have been charged with extorting money from programme beneficiaries, in a case that has reignited concerns about corruption in the government’s flagship poverty alleviation scheme.
The accused Buwote Stephen, Chairperson of Busalamu South Ward SACCO; Nangobi Safina, Secretary; and Nankangu Ziyada, Treasurer were on Thursday arraigned before the Iganga Chief Magistrate’s Court. They face charges of fraudulently obtaining money from beneficiaries of the PDM programme between May and July 2025 in Busalamu Town Council, Luuka District.
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According to prosecutors, the trio demanded illegal payments from beneficiaries, falsely claiming that the money was a mandatory requirement to access PDM funds. Investigations led by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), revealed that the practice had left many vulnerable households cheated out of the much-needed government support.
The accused denied the charges but were remanded until September 16, 2025.
The case comes amid growing scrutiny of the Parish Development Model, a government initiative aimed at moving millions of households from subsistence to the money economy by channeling resources through SACCOs at the parish level. While hailed as a bold intervention to tackle rural poverty, the programme has been marred by allegations of mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in several districts.
Anti-graft agencies have repeatedly warned that PDM risks being undermined if local leaders entrusted with managing funds turn it into a tool for personal enrichment.
The remand of the Luuka SACCO officials is expected to send a strong signal to other community leaders handling PDM funds across the country.
