Kole, Uganda | Police in Kole District have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged embezzlement of Shs 50 million meant for beneficiaries under the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
The suspects, identified as Olila Martine and Omodi Denis, were apprehended following a formal complaint filed by Maj. Aldo Alele Onyango, the Operational Wealth Creation Officer for Kole, on June 18, 2025.
According to police investigations, the incident occurred on June 2, 2025, when the suspects along with others still at large accessed the PDM account at a local financial institution in Ayer Sub-County, Okwor Village, and withdrew the funds.
However, despite mobile notifications confirming transactions, no payments were received by the intended beneficiaries.
Authorities at Kole Central Police Station swiftly registered the case and recorded statements from the affected recipients.
Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects had tampered with the beneficiary database by inserting unauthorized names, allowing them to divert funds for personal gain.
In a significant development, police recovered Shs 21 million from Olila Martine during the operation. Efforts to apprehend other suspects and recover the balance are ongoing.
Investigators confirmed that the case file is being prepared for submission to the Resident State Attorney for prompt prosecution.
Speaking to the press, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, reiterated the force’s commitment to protecting public resources.
He said the police would not hesitate to take decisive action against individuals sabotaging government programs like PDM, which are intended to transform livelihoods at the grassroots level.
The arrests and partial recovery of the funds come as a boost to anti-corruption efforts in the region and underscore the importance of coordination between law enforcement and local authorities.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any irregularities in the implementation of government projects.
