PDM Officials Remanded Over Alleged Extortion in Kalaki District

By Skika Reporter.

Three Parish Development Model (PDM) officials have been remanded to prison over allegations of extorting money from beneficiaries in Kalaki District, following their arraignment before Kaberamaido Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

The accused include Olingo Joseph, Parish Chief of Okungure Parish in Kakure Sub-county; Edwonu James, Chairperson of the Opungure-Kakure PDM SACCO; and Ocepa Josphat, the SACCO Secretary.

The trio appeared in court alongside other suspects who are reportedly still at large. They were charged with obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to commit a felony. The court remanded them until July 16, 2026.

According to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the suspects allegedly defrauded hundreds of PDM beneficiaries in 2024, targeting residents of Opungure Parish in Kakure Sub-county.

Investigators say the accused, together with others still under investigation, demanded money from residents while falsely promising to include their names on beneficiary lists for support under the Opungure-Kakure PDM SACCO.

The anti-corruption unit said the scheme exploited the government’s flagship poverty alleviation programme, with vulnerable community members reportedly paying fees in exchange for access to funds that were meant to be disbursed free of charge.

Meanwhile, regional officials have raised concern over similar cases of extortion linked to PDM structures across North Teso.

Kalaki District Commercial Officer and North Teso PDM Coordinator Patrick Todi said several cases involving parish-level officials have been reported in districts including Katakwi, Amuria, Kapelebyong, Kaberamaido, and Serere.

He noted that some parish chiefs and SACCO officials have already been arrested in related investigations, including suspects identified in Katakwi District.

Todi warned that misuse of PDM structures undermines government efforts to transition households from subsistence to a money economy, urging strict adherence to guidelines governing the programme.

He also cautioned SACCO leaders, parish chiefs, and local council officials against manipulating PDM funds or using them as collateral within communities.“We had an issue of extortion … despite challenges, the journey for PDM is a success,” he said.

Todi further urged beneficiaries to invest PDM funds in productive enterprises to improve household incomes and support local economic growth.

The Parish Development Model, a government initiative aimed at lifting millions of Ugandans out of subsistence farming, has in recent months faced increased scrutiny over allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and beneficiary exploitation in several districts.