The Lira District Resident District Commissioner (RDC) has been arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) over allegations of misuse of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
The arrest was made in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies following complaints raised by more than 50 members of Tetyang PDM SACCO during a baraza held by officials from the Ministry of Economic Monitoring in Lira City.
The beneficiaries alleged that they were compelled to use part of their Shs1 million PDM allocations to purchase agricultural inputs, including seedlings, fertilisers and sprayers, which they said they had not requested.
According to the complaints, the beneficiaries were invited to a PDM launch presided over by the Assistant RDC, Okello Richard, and the District PDM Focal Person, Okello Michael. A company dealing in agricultural inputs was also reportedly present at the launch.
The beneficiaries further alleged that their mobile phones were confiscated by the SACCO secretary, Moro Dickens, before their PDM funds were withdrawn.
They claimed that between Shs400,000 and Shs840,000 was deducted from each beneficiary to pay for the agricultural inputs, with the remaining balance reportedly handed to them in cash.
The beneficiaries said they protested the deductions but alleged that they were told to accept the arrangement or risk losing their PDM funds and having their names removed from the system.
Some beneficiaries also reported that the seeds supplied to them were planted out of season and later withered, resulting in losses.
Following preliminary investigations, the SH-ACU said the RDC, Assistant RDC and District PDM Focal Person, who is also a Production Officer, had been implicated in the matter.
The three officials have been arrested to facilitate further investigations into the alleged offences.
The anti-corruption unit said investigations are ongoing and that other people suspected of participating in the alleged scheme will be arrested as inquiries continue.
The suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.