Several Suspects Charge in Court as Government Crackdown on PDM extortion
By Patrick Okino
Following complaints by the beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model over alleged fraudulent act and extortion to President Yoweri Museveni during Presidential campaign, government has taken a drastic steps against the suspects especially those charged with responsibility of managing the initiative at the Parish levels.
A number of culprits have been arrested and arraigned in court over alleged extortion and abuse of office. The probe is ongoing in Kasese, Kiryandongo, and Entebbe by SSP Byaruhanga Mworozi, Special Presidential Assistant – Police Affairs, in coordination with the Territorial Police, to avert the vice in the programme targeting to rescue 38 percent of people trapped in subsistence economy and move them to money economy.
According to a press release by PPU, while in Kasese District on 4th December 2025 during the Presidential campaign tour, three people, including a female Councillor, Ms. Masika Joy of Kamayiba Ward, Central Division, stepped forward from the crowd and reported to President Yoweri Museveni cases of abuse of the PDM programme within Kasese Municipality.
“Follow-up investigations established that nine enterprise groups had been defrauded. As a result, two accused persons, Biira Teopista and Biira Christine, were arrested and charged with obtaining money by false pretence under Kasese CRB 872/2025,” the release says.
They first appeared before the Grade 1 Magistrate’s Court on 6th January 2026 and were remanded until 10th February 2026. They are currently released on Court bail.
In a related matter under Kasese CRB 878/2025, accused persons Wameyo Paul and Mugisha John also appeared before the Grade 1 Magistrate’s Court on 6th January 2026. Investigations into additional related case files are ongoing.
Similarly, on 10th December 2025 in Kiryandongo District, concerns were raised by the beneficiaries regarding mismanagement and extortion linked to the PDM programme. In a follow-up engagement held on 12th December 2025 between SSP Byaruhanga, the Territorial Police, and complainants from Panyadoli Sub-county, established that 14 cases were already under active investigation and prosecution. Of these, two cases have since been concluded, leading to the conviction of six accused persons, namely Akello Esther, Abalo Margaret, Bugumirwa Patrick, Aluku Joel, Amusolo Eunice, and Mukwana Jacob. Hearing of the remaining cases is progressing before the courts of law.
In Entebbe, on 5th January 2026 during the Presidential campaign programme, one Nakasoma Tereza, also known as Nabakyala of Namulanda, reported that 14 beneficiaries in her enterprise group had been extorted during registration by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of Namulanda PDM SACCO. Investigations were immediately undertaken, leading to the arrest of Kalega Joseph and Kibowa Henry on 7th January 2026. They were subsequently charged with 15 counts of obtaining money by false pretence under Kajjansi CRB 22/2026. The accused persons appeared before the Kajjansi Grade 1 Magistrate’s Court on 11th February 2026 and were remanded. The matter is scheduled to return to court for further hearing on 20th April 2026.
As part of the ongoing government efforts to safeguard the integrity of the PDM, arrests and court proceedings arising from these investigations are being publicized to expose individuals who exploit people and encourage whistleblowers to come forward with credible information, and deter those who may intend to misuse funds meant for the transformation of households.
The government reiterates that access to PDM support is free of charge, and no official at any level is authorized to solicit money from citizens in exchange for registration or participation in the programme.
Members of the public are encouraged to continue reporting such cases to the relevant authorities.
The concerned investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial authorities are urged to expeditiously handle these cases so that the ends of justice can be met, confidence among citizens is strengthened, and the Parish Development Model continues to serve its intended purpose of transforming households from subsistence to participation in the money economy.
