The Director Crime Intelligence of Uganda Police Force, Maj Gen Christopher Damulira, has strongly warned implementers of the Parish Development Model (PDM) against extorting money from beneficiaries, saying the vice is affecting implementation of government programs in Bugisu and Bukedi Sub-regions.
This was revealed during the Stakeholders PDM Review Meeting held at Mt Elgon Hotel in Mbale City on Thursday 3rd September,2026 .
The meeting brought together Resident District Commissioners, District Chairpersons, DISOs, Regional DPC'S ,RISO , and DPP officials from Bugisu and Bukedi to assess the progress of PDM.
Maj Gen Damulira said intelligence reports indicate that some PDM implementers are demanding bribes from poor Ugandans before they are given PDM funds.
"We are getting complaints that Parish Chiefs and SACCO leaders are asking for UGX 100,000, 200,000 before giving out PDM money. That is extortion. PDM money is not for sale, it is from President Museveni to help the poor come out of poverty," Gen Damulira said.
Maj Gen Christopher Damulira added that last month security launched a nationwide operation against officials mismanaging and sabotaging the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other government programs.
Gen. Damulira said the operation is being led by the Directorate of Crime Intelligence together with other sister security agencies ,office of the DPP and State House Anti-Corruption Unit to fight corruption in government programs.
He said many officials have already been arrested across the country, including Parish Chiefs, Community Development Officers and SACCO leaders who were found extorting money from beneficiaries and diverting PDM funds.
Gen Damulira said President Museveni is committed to fighting poverty through PDM but corrupt implementers are sabotaging the program.
"We shall not leave anyone who is sabotaging government programs. If you have been extorting PDM money, your time is up. We are coming for you," he warned
Gen Damulira said government has invested a lot of money in PDM and other wealth creation programs, but extortion and corruption by implementers is sabotaging them.
He urged beneficiaries in Bugisu and Bukedi to be vigilant and report any person asking for money in exchange for PDM.
Anthony Kateu The LCV Chairperson of Budaka District said that his office has received numerous complaints that some PDM chairpersons in Budaka are demanding bribes before giving out PDM funds
He cautioned the PDM chairpersons and SACCO leaders against extorting money from PDM beneficiaries.
"I want to warn all PDM chairpersons in Budaka, stop extorting money from our poor mothers and fathers. I distance myself and my council from your actions. Anyone caught will face the law," Kateu said.
He said extortion is painting a bad image to the district leadership and is making government programs fail.
Meanwhile,Trevor Solomon Baleke the Deputy Resident District Commissioner Bulambuli District who also attended the meeting, supported the intervention to curb extortion and mismanagement that is leading to failure of the PDM program in Uganda.
Baleke said many PDM implementers have turned the program into a money-making scheme, which must stop immediately.
"As RDCs office, we have been directed to arrest any PDM implementer extorting beneficiaries. PDM is meant to help the poorest of the poor, not to enrich Parish Chiefs and SACCO chairpersons," Mr Baleke said.
The meeting was chaired by Maj Gen Christopher Damulira, Director Crime Intelligence, who warned that security will take tough action against corrupt PDM implementers in Bugisu and Bukedi sub-regions.
All Stakeholders resolved to strengthen monitoring and create a toll-free line for reporting PDM extortion.
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