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By Spy Uganda
Three leaders of a Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO in Kalaki District have been charged before the Kaberamaido Magistrates Court over allegations of extorting money from hundreds of beneficiaries by falsely promising to secure them access to government support funds.
The accused were arraigned on Monday by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
They face charges of obtaining money by false pretences and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The suspects have been identified as Olingo Joseph, Edwonu James, and Ocepa Josphat.
Olingo serves as Parish Chief of Okungure Parish in Kakure Sub-County, while Edwonu and Ocepa are the chairperson and secretary respectively of the Opungure-Kakure PDM SACCO.
Court heard that the trio, together with other suspects still at large, allegedly obtained money from hundreds of residents in Opungure Parish during 2024.
Investigators say the suspects falsely told community members that payment was required in order for their names to be included on the list of beneficiaries eligible to receive support under the Parish Development Model.
Prosecutors contend that the claims were fraudulent and that the payments had no bearing on whether the victims would benefit from the government program.
The Parish Development Model is a flagship government initiative aimed at moving households from subsistence to the money economy by channeling funds directly to parish-level SACCOs for onward lending to eligible beneficiaries.
Authorities say the alleged scheme undermined the integrity of the program and exploited vulnerable citizens seeking access to government assistance.
The three accused were remanded to prison until June 16, 2026, when they are expected to return to court for further proceedings.
The case is part of an ongoing crackdown by anti-corruption agencies on individuals accused of abusing the Parish Development Model for personal gain.
Officials have repeatedly warned public servants and SACCO leaders against soliciting money from beneficiaries, stressing that access to PDM funds is not supposed to be conditioned on unofficial payments.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/sh-acu-at-work-three-kalaki-pdm-leaders-charged-over-extortion-of-hundreds-of-beneficiaries/
