The officials are accused of extorting 8,000 and 20,000 Shillings from beneficiaries, claiming the money is for purchasing stationery, and internet data.
Three Kitgum District officials have
been arrested for allegedly extorting money from beneficiaries of the
Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
The officials are
Lubangakene Mark, the Sub-county Chairperson; Lutwa Robert, the Chairperson of
Pajimo Parish SACCO; and Odiya Kenneth, the Secretary of Pajimo Parish SACCO.
According to Hajj Marijan
Walire, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, the arrests were made after
a thorough investigation into the allegations following several complaints from PDM beneficiaries.
The officials are accused of
extorting 8,000 and 20,000 Shillings from beneficiaries,
claiming the money is for purchasing stationery, and internet data.
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Walire emphasized that the
arrests will serve as a warning to other officials. He asked the community to remain vigilant as
investigations continue.
Since the
launch of the PDM, several officials in Kitgum have been arrested for corruption. In August 2022, 14 staff
members of Kitgum District Local Government, including the then Chief
Administrative Officer Joel Musisi, were arrested for misusing PDM funds. They
were later compelled to refund 3 million, and Musisi was subsequently
interdicted.
Opoka Denis
Freelancer