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Festus Ayikobua, RDC Zombo. By Mike Rwothomio Zombo Parish Development Model SACCO leaders in Paidha Sub county, Zombo district are on spot over their reported weird practice of listing names of individuals who are alive amongst the dead ones to leave space fo
Festus Ayikobua, RDC Zombo.
By Mike Rwothomio
Zombo
Parish Development Model SACCO leaders in Paidha Sub county, Zombo district are on spot over their reported weird practice of listing names of individuals who are alive amongst the dead ones to leave space for beneficiaries of their own choice.
Concerned and irked by these leader's action, a section of elders from Paidha Sub-County on February 3, went to the office of the Resident District Commissioner Zombo, to take the matter to his attention.
This compelled the Zombo Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua, to swiftly convene a crisis meeting with locals in the village of Awendukei, Otheko Parish on Tuesday February 4, to offer a Permanent solution to the pressing issue.
Ali Opoka, a resident of Awendukei village, Otheko Parish, expressed frustration, pointing out how he was put amongst the list of people who are dead, upon paying over 50,000 shillings.
“We were registered in 2021 and we spent so much money, but up to now, we have not received our money, when I went to the office of our SACCO, I discovered my name amongst list of the dead people, what kind of leaders are these" Opoka told the RDC with much frustration.
Abdulai Oroga, 65, one of the elders who reported the matter to the RDC, accused the leaders of replacing them upon fixing their names amongst list of the dead.
"We were the first group to register as elders here, we were made to pay 50,000 shillings to access the funds, up to now nothing has happened, instead they fix our names amongst list of dead people " Oroga noted
Walter Piker, another resident, accused the leaders of extorting him over 15,000 shillings, angrily expressing his grievances over listing him amongst names of dead people under unclear circumstances.
Meanwhile Rose Awacango, the chairperson of Pikwo Union group in Paidha Sub County, openly placed the blame on their leadership at the Parish level, calling for immediate action from the Resident District Commissioner.
Other members have accused the leaders of levying unnecessary charges on them, calling for the RDC's intervention.
The LCI chairperson of Awendukei village, Otheko Parish, Alex OaiKani, blames the locals for not registering the complaints to his office.
The LCIII chairperson of Paidha sub county William Okethi, noted that some of the concerns had not reached his office.
Zombo district has successfully disbursed over UGX 4 billion to more than 4,000 beneficiaries under the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme, which was launched in 2022.
This achievement represents over 80% of the UGX 6.1 billion allocated to the district, which spans 61 parishes.
The PDM initiative, a government strategy aimed at poverty alleviation through community-driven development, empowers local communities to identify and address their own development needs. It is part of a national effort to uplift 10,000 parishes across Uganda.
James Oyullu Oruna, the LCV Chairperson of Zombo District, urged the district’s technical team to continue guiding leaders and communities in the remaining parishes to expedite the disbursement process.
The District Councillor for Youths, Derick Rwothungeyu Ocweda, praised the production committee for its efforts but emphasized the need for continuous community sensitization.
“We must ensure that people use these funds wisely. More focus on education and awareness is crucial,” Ocweda stressed.
Evelyn Jane Othora, Chairperson of the Production and Natural Resources Committee, highlighted the need for enhanced training.
“We recommend capacity building and technical support for parish chiefs and PDM SACCO leaders. This will speed up disbursements and improve fund management,” she stated.
Addressing the Allegations
The Resident District Commissioner of Zombo Festus Ayikobua, warned against the practice, and ordered all PDM SAACO leaders in Paidha Sub County to appear in his office in person on Monday next week.
Ayikobua who rallied the locals to work with him to curb the rampant corruption in the district, gave his telephone contact for people to report such practices to him directly.
The PDM program has faced challenges, including allegations of extortion by some parish chiefs and SACCO leaders.
In Kango Sub-county, a recent crackdown led to the arrest of several SACCO officials accused of demanding bribes from beneficiaries.
Bruno Obomba Manano, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Zombo, issued a stern warning against such practices. “Do not let anyone exploit you. Report any cases of extortion immediately so we can take action,” Obomba urged during a belated Youth Day celebration in Paidha Town Council.
The Parish Development Model, launched by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, aims to mobilise 17.5 million Ugandans from 3.5 million households.
The initiative seeks to empower communities to take charge of their development, ensuring sustainable poverty alleviation at the grassroots level.
The Resident District Commissioner of Zombo Festus Ayikobua, has given his telephone number to the locals, to call him directly In case of such practices.