A Community Development Officer (CDO) in Soroti City has been charged and remanded to prison for allegedly demanding kickbacks from beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Hellen Alajo, the CDO for Kengere Ward in Soroti City East Division, was arraigned before the Soroti Chief Magistrate’s Court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit working together with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
She was charged with obtaining money by false pretence.
According to investigations, Alajo allegedly extorted money from more than 121 PDM beneficiaries by claiming the payments were required for group registration, renewal of group certificates, and stationery.
Authorities said that after the beneficiaries received their Shs1 million under the government program, she allegedly demanded additional payments ranging from Shs10,000 to Shs50,000 from each person.
She reportedly told them the money would facilitate community-based trainers and help them qualify for more funding in the next financial year.
However, investigations found that these claims were false and that the money was collected illegally.
Court remanded Alajo until May 27, 2026, as investigations into the matter continue.
