By Jamillah Kemigisa
In a major crackdown on corruption within Uganda’s flagship anti-poverty programme, two senior officials in Koboko District have been charged with extorting money from vulnerable citizens under the guise of processing Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
The suspects, Driciru Caroline, a Community Development Officer, and Ayite Sebbi Zaituni, the Chairperson of Degiba PDM SACCO, were on Wednesday arraigned before the Koboko Chief Magistrate’s Court. The charges were brought forward by the Anti-Corruption Unit of State House (@Anti_Graft), in coordination with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (@CID1_UG) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (@ODPPUGANDA).
According to prosecution, between 2023 and June 2025, the duo—along with others still at large—conspired to extort money from PDM beneficiaries in Degiba Parish, Midia Sub-county. They allegedly demanded bribes in exchange for access to government-issued PDM loans, a scheme specifically designed to empower Uganda’s poorest households through grassroots economic transformation.
“This is a classic case of betrayal of public trust,” said an officer from the Anti-Corruption Unit. “Instead of supporting poverty alleviation, these individuals turned the PDM fund into a cash cow for personal enrichment.”
Victims allege that they were coerced into paying “processing fees” ranging between UGX 50,000 and UGX 100,000 to the SACCO leadership and the CDO in order to be considered for PDM funding. Those who failed to pay were either delayed indefinitely or excluded from the program.
Investigators say that such extortion tactics—“demanding money with menaces”—are criminal and completely contrary to the principles of the Parish Development Model, which is intended to be free, transparent, and pro-poor.
“They used their positions of influence to create artificial bottlenecks in the process, preying on the ignorance and desperation of poor citizens,” said one of the prosecutors handling the case.
The arrests come amid growing concerns across the country regarding the misuse of PDM funds in various districts. In several regions, similar schemes have been reported involving local leaders, technical staff, and SACCO chairpersons accused of turning the program into a profit-making venture.
The Anti-Corruption Unit emphasized that no one is above the law, and that more arrests are expected as investigations expand into other areas suspected of similar misconduct.
The Koboko Chief Magistrate’s Court charged the suspects with “Demanding Money with Menaces”—a serious offense under Uganda’s Penal Code. They were remanded pending further investigations and are expected to return to court later this month for a bail hearing.
Public reaction has been swift and furious. Several community members in Koboko gathered outside court demanding harsh punishment for the culprits. Civil society groups have also condemned the abuse of the PDM framework, calling for nationwide audits and community-led oversight committees.
“This is not just theft; it’s economic sabotage against the rural poor,” said Mary Achan, a local rights advocate.
The Ministry of Local Government and the PDM Secretariat have repeatedly warned that any misuse of PDM funds will be met with zero tolerance. The President himself has on numerous occasions directed that corruption under the PDM programme be treated as a high-priority economic crime.
As investigations continue, Ugandans are urged to report any cases of extortion or corruption related to PDM activities via the Anti-Corruption Unit’s hotline or social media platforms.
