BUHWEJU, UGANDA – The office of the Resident District Commissioner in Buhweju has taken a tougher stance against alleged mismanagement and extortion in the Parish Development Model and Emyooga programs.
Assistant RDC Hajjati Atuhaire Annati Tumweine said her office has received complaints from elders and less-educated beneficiaries who say their phones were taken and money withdrawn without their knowledge. She said some are now being asked to repay money they never received. Similar complaints have come from Emyooga beneficiaries, she added.
“Someone is on the list as a beneficiary yet they did not receive the money on their phone. Let everyone who has an issue with PDM come to the RDC’s office for help,” Hajjati Atuhaire said.
She directed commercial officers to cooperate with investigations, warning that those who withhold lists or documents will be held accountable.
“When we arrest people who misused funds, commercial officers are accountable and we must arrest you and charge you too. Why do you refuse to give out documents? We are here to work for the people of Uganda and make sure we monitor and implement government programs. This time, if you don’t cooperate, we want services and benefits from government programs to reach the people. The RDC’s office is open and free, because we need accountability,” she said.
Mbabazi Justus, Chairperson of the Western Patriotic NRM Cadres, said in Kyahenda Sub-county some people received only half of their PDM funds, while others were asked to pay bribes and never received money. He said some government officials and local council leaders were involved, and that residents in Kemikyera Parish and Burere Sub-county have similar complaints.
“Most locals say PDM leaders were corrupt, and that’s why many Ugandans failed to benefit from the government’s poverty eradication program. I thank the RDC’s office for being open and ready to intervene in the matter that has been worrying Buhwejuians,” he said.
However, some residents defended commercial officers, saying parish-level PDM chairpersons should be held accountable since they submit the beneficiary lists to commercial officers.
Both the Parish Development Model and Emyooga were initiated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to fight poverty and increase household incomes.
The RDC’s office says it remains open to receiving complaints from affected residents.
