Politics 21 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kawooya Vows Tough Action on Sembabule Chiefs Amidst PDM Fraud Allegations
State Minister Anifa Kawooya has initiated a district-wide tour in Sembabule, vowing to arrest parish chiefs allegedly extorting money from citizens seeking to benefit from the Parish Development Model (PDM). The minister declared her commitment to combating corruption more fiercely than any other official. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/-i-am-tougher-than-balaam-kawooya-vows-crackdown-on-sembabule-chiefs-over-pdm-fraud-5603762
Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Anifa Kawooya, has embarked on a thorough monitoring tour of Sembabule District, signaling a stern crackdown on corrupt officials implicated in the Parish Development Model (PDM) fraud. She has issued a direct order for the immediate arrest of any parish chiefs found to be demanding money from potential beneficiaries of the government program.
During a meeting with local leaders at the Sembabule District headquarters, Minister Kawooya strongly denounced the actions of corrupt officials who allegedly fleece impoverished residents of up to Shs30,000 under the pretext of assisting them with PDM application forms. The minister declared her resolve to tackle corruption head-on, stating, “If you think that we should only wait for Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara to take action against corrupt government workers, know that I am much tougher than him in fighting corruption, and I will arrest all corrupt chiefs.”
Kawooya, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Mawogola West, cautioned senior district administrators against protecting staff engaged in illicit activities. She emphasized that it is a fundamental duty of legislators to oversee poverty alleviation programs and ensure they achieve their intended goals.
Eligible residents were advised to present only their National Identification Cards at parish offices for enrollment in the next funding phase, with Minister Kawooya stressing that no administrative fees should be charged. She instructed that any official demanding money should be reported to the police immediately, ensuring that beneficiaries receive their full Shs1 million entitlement.
This intervention follows numerous complaints from residents who claim to have paid bribes without receiving any PDM funds. For instance, Lemegio Ndyanabo, a resident of Sembabule Town Council, reported paying Shs30,000 for poultry farming funds in 2024 but has yet to receive anything.
Masaka PDM Regional Coordinator Patrick Mutoni reported that Sembabule has received Shs23 billion since 2023, with Shs19.9 billion disbursed to 21,000 households. He confirmed that investigations are underway into the alleged extortion schemes involving parish chiefs and SACCO leaders.
The PDM, launched in 2022, aims to transition households from subsistence to the money economy, with each parish allocated Shs100 million annually. However, the program continues to face challenges, including persistent reports of corruption, which raise concerns about its effectiveness in eradicating poverty.