James Nabinson Kidega, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Agago has ordered the reshuffling of leaders of Parish Development Model (PDM) Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) following allegations of corruption, nepotism, and manipulation of beneficiary details.
Kidega says he has received numerous complaints from community members accusing some SACCO leaders of favoring relatives and close associates during the selection of beneficiaries under the government’s poverty eradication programme.
Investigations have also uncovered cases where SACCO officials confiscated beneficiaries’ SIM cards and National Identity Cards to access PDM funds without consent.
The RDC explains that the directive to reshuffle SACCO leadership aims to improve transparency, strengthen governance, and restore public confidence in the programme.
Authorities have already arrested 30 SACCO leaders in connection with corruption cases linked to the PDM programme over the last two years. Kidega says more than Shs50 million has been recovered and returned to SACCO accounts or handed back to the rightful beneficiaries.
Under PDM guidelines, SACCO executive committee members serve a three-year term and are eligible for re-election if they remain in good standing and are chosen by parish members.
By URN
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