The Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO chairman for Bubango Parish, Buswale Subcounty in Namayingo district as this Friday July 5, 2024 been arrested on allegations of extortion and sabotage of government programs.
Identified as Mr Aron Okoth , the SACCO chief was arrested on orders of the Deputy RDC, Trevor Solomon Baleke.
It is alleged that Okoth has been using his office to make sure only those who bribe him are recommended to received the PDM funding.
The chairman has reportedly been charging and picking Shs. 30,000 from each beneficiary and whoever failed to give him money was not considered.
Contacted to verify this report, RDC Beleke confirmed Okoth’s arrest.
He emphasised that his office has since received over 30 complaints against the SACCO.
“We have complaints from over 30 people against him, including members of his own executive who say they have been warning him in vain,” Baleke told this publication.
The commissioner echoed that it is offensive for one to interfere with the government programme.
“No Ugandan is supposed to be charged before receiving PDM funding, and whoever does it doesn’t only commit abuse of office but also sabotages a government program which is not acceptable therefore our police shall manage it as usual,” he said.
Baleke said; “Okoth shall therefore serve as an example to all other PDM officials in Namayingo who steal from the poor.”
He highlighted that the bad practice is also common in Banda Town Council where he said he has already warned some leaders after receiving reports that they too have been engaging in the unreligious acts.
At the time of arrest, Okoth was meeting people supposed to benefit from PDM from whom the authorities received a complaint that Okoth was asking them to pay for his service.
