Dokolo, Uganda – Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Barbara Akech has issued a stern warning to civil servants who have illegally accessed funds from the Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
Speaking to the press on January 8, 2025, Akech revealed that her office has compiled a list of government employees, including teachers, health workers, and parish chiefs, who fraudulently registered and received the funds.
Akech emphasized that some of these civil servants are employed in other districts but manipulated the system to benefit from the PDM funds allocated to Dokolo District.
The RDC reminded the public that the Parish Development Model (PDM) is specifically designed to benefit individuals and households with no reliable source of income.
Those on the government payroll, such as teachers and health workers, are not eligible to receive PDM funds.
“Civil servants already have stable incomes and are not entitled to these funds, which are meant to uplift the most vulnerable members of our community,” Akech stated.
Akech has ordered all implicated individuals to return the funds immediately.
“Failure to comply with my directive will result in arrests and prosecution,” she warned.
The RDC underlined that the PDM initiative is intended to uplift vulnerable households and misuse of the program undermines its purpose.
“This behavior denies rightful beneficiaries the opportunity to improve their livelihoods and escape poverty,” she added.
The RDC’s directive aligns with the government’s ongoing crackdown on corruption and misuse of PDM funds across the country.
Similar measures have been taken in other districts, including arrests of SACCO leaders and parish chiefs accused of extortion and mismanagement.
Akech assured the public that her office is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of the PDM program.
She encouraged the community to report any irregularities to her office for swift action.
The Parish Development Model, a flagship program aimed at eradicating household poverty, has faced challenges of corruption and mismanagement.
The recent crackdown by leaders like RDC Akech reflects a renewed commitment to safeguarding the program’s integrity and ensuring its intended beneficiaries are supported.
