Mubende Leaders Investigate Shs182 Million PDM Fund Delay

Local leaders in Mubende District are actively investigating the delayed release of Shs182 million designated for the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Buweekula South. This heightened scrutiny follows President Museveni’s call for increased monitoring of public funds and projects.

The funds in question were reportedly released by the government last year, yet beneficiaries in Buweekula South have yet to receive them. A team comprising Buweekula South MP Dedan Mubangizi, Mubende District Chairperson Michael Muhereza Ntambi, and other local officials has initiated an inspection of PDM implementation across the constituency to pinpoint the reasons for the hold-up.

MP Mubangizi has issued a stern warning against the misuse of public funds, emphasizing that corruption and negligence in poverty alleviation programs will not be tolerated. He stated that anyone found tampering with government money would face arrest and prosecution.

During an inspection in Kayebe Sub-county, officials from the Kiryamenvu Parish PDM SACCO cited difficulties in beneficiary verification and registration as the primary cause of the delay. Challenges include residents lacking national IDs or having phone numbers that do not match their official identification details.

However, residents have raised separate concerns, alleging that some village chairpersons are demanding a Shs10,000 bribe for recommendation letters required to access the PDM funds. While some village leaders defended these requests as necessary contributions for operational expenses due to a lack of facilitation, MP Mubangizi condemned the practice as illegal and exploitative.

Mubende District Chairperson Michael Muhereza Ntambi has given officials a strict 14-day deadline to ensure the complete disbursement of the delayed funds. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary and legal action, according to MP Mubangizi.

The Parish Development Model is a government initiative designed to boost household incomes by providing funds directly to parish-level SACCOs for investment in income-generating activities. Residents have expressed optimism that the increased oversight will lead to greater transparency and accountability in the program’s execution.

Source: Nile Post