Apac District, Uganda | The fight against corruption in Uganda’s grassroots governance took a dramatic turn on Monday after two local leaders in Apac District were arrested for allegedly exploiting vulnerable residents seeking to benefit from the Parish Development Model (PDM), a government-backed initiative aimed at eradicating poverty.
Fred Ocepa, the Parish Chief of Kungu Parish, and Obote Benson, the LC2 Chairperson of the same area, were detained at Apac Central Police Station on orders from Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Joan Apio.
Their arrest followed a community dialogue where multiple complaints of bribery and abuse of office were brought forward by locals.
Eyewitnesses and community members accused the pair of demanding illicit payments from individuals applying for support under the PDM program.
Reports suggest that Ocepa and Obote, in coordination with some SACCO officials, were charging as much as UGX 20,000 for registration and UGX 50,000 from residents who were desperate to access funding.
One of the complainants, Scovia Ajungu, a resident of Te-alal village, said the two officials had organized a meeting targeting those who had not yet received financial support and told them that they would be considered more quickly if they pay UGX 50,000.
Ocepa, however, denied the allegations of extortion. He admitted receiving money from community members but claimed the charges were strictly for administrative needs—specifically, UGX 3,000 for file folders, UGX 5,000 for passport photographs, and another UGX 5,000 for assistance with business plan documentation.
He added that in some cases, residents had given him money voluntarily as a token of appreciation, which he insisted he had not solicited.
The revelations have provoked anger among residents, many of whom view the actions as a betrayal of the very people the PDM is meant to support.
Designed to promote economic transformation at the household level, the PDM was launched to uplift the poorest through organized enterprise groups and access to low-cost capital.
Apac District Commercial Officer, Ebony Ouru, strongly condemned the alleged misconduct.
He noted that such acts of corruption could undermine the impact of the PDM initiative and insisted that eradicating such practices was essential if the program was to fulfill its intended purpose.
In a separate warning, Principal Private Secretary in Apac, Janet Odongo, urged civil servants and local leaders to uphold integrity, stressing that any public officer who engages in corruption—especially within critical government development programs—would face serious consequences.
Police confirmed that further investigations were underway and said the suspects could face charges related to abuse of office and extortion if sufficient evidence is gathered.
The arrest of Ocepa and Obote adds to growing public scrutiny of PDM implementation across the country. Civil society actors and watchdogs have repeatedly called for stronger monitoring and accountability systems to ensure the program reaches its intended beneficiaries without obstruction or manipulation.
VOL FM Lira
