Dokolo, Uganda | The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Dokolo District, Babra Akech, has ordered a fresh vetting of beneficiaries under the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Tetugo B Ward, Agwata Town Council, following allegations of ghost beneficiaries, nepotism and irregular registration of members.
The directive was issued during a community dialogue at Tetugo Primary School on Friday after residents raised concerns over the management of PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs).
The complaints centred on Tetugo C Produce Dealers SACCO, where beneficiaries alleged that two ineligible people—Jackson Odongo, reportedly a resident of Lira District, and Ojok Jasper, who had previously benefited from the programme—had been registered as members.
Akech also directed beneficiaries to replace underperforming SACCO leaders during the upcoming elections, saying accountability and transparency were critical to the success of the Government’s wealth creation programme.
She warned against the misuse of National Identity Cards, citing a case in which a young man allegedly used another person’s National ID to obtain PDM funds before giving the rightful owner only sh50,000. She said her office intervened and ensured the legitimate beneficiary received the funds.
Tetugo C Produce Dealers chairperson Franchise Akora blamed the irregularities on an acting leader who managed the group during his absence. He said the acting chairperson registered ineligible members, including a relative and a person who had already benefited from the programme.
Tetugo B Ward PDM SACCO chairperson Ambrose Ayo said efforts to resolve the dispute at the local level were unsuccessful, prompting the matter to be referred to the RDC’s office.
Parish Development Committee chairperson Akora Paskweli said members had initially been vetted without complaints but admitted that new allegations later emerged, necessitating further investigations.
Town Agent Okeng Boniface urged both leaders and beneficiaries to work together and avoid favouritism, saying the programme would only succeed if it was managed transparently.
The meeting resolved to remove three members—Angwech Racheal, Jackson Odongo and Ojok Jasper—from the SACCO and conduct fresh verification of all beneficiaries in accordance with the RDC’s directive.
No arrests had been made by the end of the meeting.