Nakaseke PDM Funds Recovered After Secretary's Arrest

In Kigege Parish, Nakaseke District, a group of eleven beneficiaries under the Parish Development Model (PDM) have reason to celebrate after recovering Shs10 million. The money was allegedly misappropriated by their group secretary, Joshua Zaake, who has since been arrested.

The beneficiaries reported that Zaake had fraudulently diverted Shs11 million released under the PDM, a government initiative aimed at improving livelihoods. The group’s chairperson expressed their distress, stating they were left in a difficult situation after the funds meant for their development were seemingly stolen.

Following the discovery, the beneficiaries sought assistance from local leaders. Their complaint was escalated to Area Councillor Benjamin Makanga, who then brought the matter to the attention of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Rosemary Bashaija. The RDC promptly ordered a manhunt for Zaake, leading to his apprehension by the police.

Under the directive of the RDC, Zaake was instructed to refund the embezzled funds. The recovery process was overseen by RDC Bashaija and officials from the PDM Secretariat, ensuring the affected members received their money back. While Shs10 million has been recovered, efforts are underway to locate and retrieve the remaining Shs1 million.

Councillor Makanga praised the collaborative efforts of security agencies and district leadership in resolving the issue. He urged all local leaders to remain vigilant and protect government programs from misuse.

RDC Bashaija strongly condemned the alleged misuse of PDM funds, issuing a stern warning that individuals found stealing or mismanaging government resources would face legal consequences. She emphasized that the PDM is designed to uplift communities, not to serve the interests of dishonest individuals.

The incident has drawn condemnation from various leaders, who view such actions as detrimental to the government’s poverty eradication efforts through community-based initiatives. They stressed the importance of accountability in the implementation of development programs.

Source: Nile Post