Police in Kween District have arrested an LC1 chairperson and a nephew of a 78-year-old man over the alleged theft and fraudulent processing of Shs1 million meant for a beneficiary under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
The suspects, identified as Peter Ayeku, 39, and Stephen Kwerit, the LC1 chairperson of Kaotoryong Village in Toswo Parish, are accused of diverting funds meant for the elderly beneficiary, Noibei Chekwoti, 78.
According to police, Ayeku allegedly used his uncle’s national identification details to fraudulently process and receive the PDM funds through a mobile phone number registered in his own names.
Derrick Collin Onen said the suspects allegedly conspired to divert the money intended for the elderly man.
“He claimed that the uncle registered his phone number, which they used to receive the money, which really does not make sense,” Onen said.
Investigations further indicate that the LC1 chairperson knowingly recommended Ayeku to receive the funds despite being aware that the money belonged to the elderly beneficiary.
“After knowing that the money was supposed to go to the Mzee, he still allowed Peter to go and get the money,” Onen added.
Police also established that the suspects falsely claimed the elderly man was part of a SACCO under the PDM programme, yet records showed he was not registered in any SACCO.
Authorities noted that the scheme involves manipulating beneficiary details by inserting different phone numbers, allowing funds to be diverted to unintended recipients.
“Sometimes they put a person’s name, then insert another phone number, and the money goes to someone else instead of the rightful beneficiary,” Onen explained.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kween, Hope Atuhaire, said her office has received several complaints involving diversion of PDM funds by local leaders and registration officials.
“We’ve had issues of PDM funds being diverted. They take someone’s name and National ID, then insert another person’s telephone number and the money goes to a different person,” Atuhaire said.
She added that some civil servants had also illegally appeared on beneficiary lists despite not qualifying for the programme.
“At the end of the day, the poor person who was supposed to benefit remains waiting for the money,” she said.
Atuhaire revealed that investigations have led to the recovery of about Shs40 million from various PDM-related fraud cases in the district.
“When we recover the money, we return it to the bank so it can be sent back to the rightful beneficiaries,” she said.
She warned those involved in manipulating the programme that government will continue pursuing and prosecuting offenders.
“I want to warn people out there to use PDM money genuinely because this money is meant to help poor Ugandans,” she said.
Onen said police have registered about 20 similar cases involving diversion and extortion of PDM funds since he took office in Kween District.
He warned local leaders, SACCO officials, parish chiefs, and registration officers against engaging in fraud or extortion.
“If we find anyone extorting or diverting this money, we arrest them, recover the funds, and take them to court,” he said.
Police said investigations are ongoing.
