Three leaders of a Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO in Luuka District have been remanded to prison over allegations of extorting money from program beneficiaries.
The Anti-Corruption Unit, working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), on Friday arraigned Stephen Buwote, Chairperson of Busalamu South Ward SACCO, Safina Nangobi, Secretary, and Ziyada Nankangu, Treasurer, before the Iganga Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The trio is accused of fraudulently obtaining money from beneficiaries between May and July 2025 at Busalamu Town Council, Luuka District.
Prosecutors told court that the officials demanded illegal payments from community members as a supposed condition for accessing PDM funds, yet no such requirement exists.
The accused denied the charges but were remanded until September 16, 2025, when the case will return for further hearing.
The PDM program was designed to uplift Ugandans at the parish level by providing affordable credit, and government has repeatedly warned against corruption or extortion by officials managing the funds.
During his regional tours on the Parish Development Model (PDM), President Museveni warned leaders against extorting funds meant for beneficiaries and directed local leaders and RDCs to arrest anyone involved in such practices.
