A wave of outcry has erupted among residents of Amuria District over the excessive charges and extortion involved in accessing funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM), a government initiative introduced by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to fight poverty and economically empower households.
During campaign rallies by the State Minister for Works and incumbent Amuria County MP, Hon. Musa Francis Ecweru, residents voiced deep frustration, revealing that PDM SACCO chairpersons and parish chiefs have turned the program into a financial burden rather than a solution.
Residents say they are being charged exorbitant fees for services such as registration, data entry, account opening, transport, and even lunch for the officers in charge.
“PDM was meant to fight poverty, but now it is making us poorer, unless you have someone in the administration or own a business to cover these hidden costs but if not you will be left out.” said one of the benefitiary
Many claimed that favoritism and segregation are rampant, with only those connected to local leaders being able to access the funds.
“We feel abandoned this money was supposed to uplift the poor not enrich the parish chiefs and SACCO leaders,” lamented another resident.
Some female beneficiaries shared disturbing accounts of sexual exploitation of been forced to offer sex in exchange of accessing PDM money
“We are asked to offer sex to SACCO chairpersons or parish chiefs in order to receive PDM money, many of us youth have been forced into unwanted sexual relationships just to access what is rightfully ours.” one young woman alleged.
The community also decried the lack of government intervention saying their cries have gone unheard.
“Every time we report these injustices, the leaders pretend to act but then disappear, it feels like we are being played.” beneficiaries cry out
Residents remained standstill calling on the government to implement strict monitoring and punitive measures to ensure that the PDM reaches its intended purpose of empowering the poor and transforming lives.
In response, Hon. Musa Ecweru condemned the exploitation and pledged swift action in fighting such injustice.
“I have heard that some SACCO chairpersons and parish chiefs are extorting money from beneficiaries, I want to make it very clear that not even a single coin should be charged this money belongs to the people, not the officials managing it,” Ecweru warned.
He further stated that any official found guilty of such practices would face serious consequences.
“When I come, you will dance to the tunes you were chosen to manage not to rob.” he said
Hon. Ecweru also revealed that the government plans to add an additional UGX 200,000,000 to each parish under PDM but stressed the need for transparent and fair management of the funds.
He further urged beneficiaries to use the money wisely but not for other activities that cannot bring development
“This money is not for buying phones, drinking alcohol, or marrying, it is to elevate families from poverty.” Ecweru cautioned
He called upon the district administration to take shift action on these injustices, urging the community to keep reporting such cases that have let down the development of Amuria
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Government should provide daily data to this coordinators or else they should just be given money without registration and application for the pdm loan