The Kiira Regional Police Command has intensified its crackdown on the alleged misappropriation of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, with ten suspects arraigned before the Jinja Chief Magistrate’s Court as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the government’s flagship poverty alleviation programme.
The operation is being spearheaded by the Kiira Regional Police Commander, SSP Charles Nsaba, in conjunction with the Head of PDM Supervision for the Busoga Sub-region, ACP Bob Kagarura. The initiative targets individuals accused of diverting or fraudulently obtaining funds intended to transform households from subsistence farming to commercial production.
According to police, the suspects face a range of charges, including obtaining money by false pretences, theft, conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery, cyber-related offences, and neglect of duty.
The accused are Charles Kisebe, 55, chairperson-elect of Railway Quarters in Jinja City; Karim Kiika, 44; Ntuyo Badru, 30; Agnes Walalumba, 54; Godfrey Byansi, 43; Rebecca Mubeezi, 50; Esther Nakalema, 30; Juliet Kalemba, 37; Farouk Joley, 28, all residents of Buyala in Budondo Sub-county, Jinja District; and Moses Mulambe, 37, a resident of Mawoito in Kagoma Town Council.
Kiira Regional Police Commander, SSP Charles Nsaba
Police allege that Charles Kisebe stole Shs700,000 in PDM funds intended for beneficiary Zaituni Kaumba between 2024 and 2025 at Railway Quarters in Jinja City.
Prosecution-led investigations further indicate that the suspects allegedly conspired to fraudulently obtain PDM funds by falsely presenting themselves as legitimate beneficiaries or facilitating unlawful access to government funds.
Speaking on the ongoing investigations, ACP Bob Kagarura said authorities are determined to ensure accountability in the management of PDM resources.
“We shall be accused of compromise and sabotage if we fail to expeditiously investigate all cases involving misappropriated, stolen or mismanaged PDM funds,” Kagarura said. “Government has injected more than Shs3 trillion into the Parish Development Model. Our mandate is to thoroughly investigate all reported cases, recover stolen funds, arrest suspects and ensure those responsible are prosecuted.”
SSP Charles Nsaba urged police officers across the Kiira Region to remain committed to protecting public resources by enforcing the law and adhering to established PDM guidelines.
“The Busoga Sub-region is fully committed to supporting government programmes and policies. It is our responsibility as police officers to contribute to the country’s socio-economic transformation by ensuring the proper implementation of the Parish Development Model and bringing to justice those who seek to sabotage it,” Nsaba said.
Police said investigations into other reported cases of alleged PDM fund abuse are ongoing, warning that anyone found culpable will face the full force of the law.
