Nakapiripirit RDC Cracks Down on Ghost PDM Beneficiaries, Recovers UGX 7M
Nakapiripirit Resident District Commissioner (RDC) George Owanyi has launched a crackdown on ghost beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM), recovering UGX 7 million on the first day of operations.
Owanyi, who also serves as the Sub Dean of Karamoja RDCs, ordered the arrest and prosecution of six individuals who fraudulently accessed UGX 1 million each. The suspects, all non-residents of Nakapiripirit, were found to be ineligible for the funds meant for the district's poor and vulnerable communities.
Acting on credible intelligence, Owanyi’s office discovered that Setimo, a Community Development Officer (CDO) with Nakapiripirit Town Council, had facilitated his brother, sister-in-law, and friends—residents of Abim but working in Moroto City—to access PDM funds. The four, who have stable incomes, did not qualify under the PDM guidelines.
Further investigations revealed that the CDO had also included a primary school headteacher, who doubles as a District Councilor (Workers), and businessman Stephen Onyango on the beneficiary list. Both received UGX 1 million despite being financially stable and not part of the 39% vulnerable category targeted by PDM.
In a joint operation led by the RDC, District Internal Security Officer (DISO), District Police Commander (DPC), Deputy RDC (DRDC), and Assistant RDC (ARDC), all six suspects were arrested and detained. They were forced to return the funds, which have since been deposited back into the respective parish PDM account. The suspects will be produced in court to face charges.
In another case, Moru Godfrey, an employee of the Electoral Commission Nakapiripirit, was arrested for helping his relative, Ngiro John, fraudulently access UGX 1 million. Moru gave Ngiro only UGX 170,000 for drinking while keeping UGX 830,000 for himself. He was forced to refund the money in the presence of the Commercial Officer and DISO.
During a PDM baraza organized by the Town Clerk, Philip Lodoume, and Commercial Officer, Lodo Fredrick, the RDC sensitized the community on eligibility criteria. He condemned the high levels of corruption and extortion in the program’s implementation.
To ensure fairness, Owanyi randomly selected six visibly vulnerable community members for immediate inclusion in the PDM system. They will receive their funds within four working days.
The RDC also cautioned Namalu Sub County Councilor, Hon. Aleper Prasede, against misleading the public that PDM funds were government handouts for "enjoyment and drinking." He emphasized that the money is meant for investment in income-generating activities to boost household incomes and fight poverty.
Owanyi clarified that PDM funds are loans repayable after 36 months and will be rolled over to other parish members to ensure broad community benefit.
The Nakapiripirit community expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for the PDM initiative and commended the RDC for his firm stance against corruption. Residents lauded the operation for restoring fairness in fund distribution and ensuring the program benefits its intended recipients.
