Tumwebaze admitted collecting money from residents but claimed he forwarded it to PDM officials to facilitate the purchase of mobile data required during the processing of beneficiaries’ funds.
By Joel Kafuko
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Buyende District, Paul Kalikwani, has directed the Local Council I (LC I) Chairperson of Green Zone in Kabugudho Ward, Kidera Town Council, to refund sh400,000 allegedly collected from residents under the guise of internet data charges related to the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme.
The LC I Chairperson, Joseph Tumwebaze, reportedly collected sh20,000 from each of 20 residents, including Grace Nabukalu, who serves as the Women’s Affairs Chairperson on his executive committee.
During a meeting held at Kabugudho Primary School, Nabukalu told officials that she personally handed over the money to Tumwebaze, who acknowledged receiving the funds.
Tumwebaze admitted collecting money from residents but claimed he forwarded it to PDM officials to facilitate the purchase of mobile data required during the processing of beneficiaries’ funds.
The meeting also heard complaints from Tapenensi Tibyaze, who alleged that an LC official identified only as Genze, who was absent from the meeting, used her National Identification Card to access PDM funds and later gave her only sh60,000.
Tibyaze appealed to the RDC to intervene and help her recover the balance of the money.
Another resident, Alex Kasajja, who petitioned the RDC, said the PDM programme has been marred by allegations of bribery, corruption, nepotism and bureaucratic delays. He argued that such practices discourage intended beneficiaries and undermine the programme’s objectives.
Kasajja further accused local leaders of politicising the programme by favouring individuals who supported them during election campaigns.
He called on the relevant authorities to take swift action before the situation worsens.
David Sembatya, the LC II Chairperson and Chairperson of the PDM Committee for Kabugudho Ward, attributed the challenges in the implementation of the programme to the Parish Chief, Steven Gwaidho.
Sembatya accused Gwaidho of misleading residents who had not yet received funds by informing them that disbursements had already been made, a situation he said has created tension and division within the community.
He revealed that local leaders had formally petitioned the relevant authorities seeking Gwaidho’s transfer to allow for smoother implementation of the programme.
Kidera Town Council Mayor Patrick Tezikuba also blamed the alleged irregularities in the distribution of PDM funds on the Parish Chief. He alleged that some beneficiaries were fraudulently included in the programme and that funds were later withdrawn on their behalf.
Tezikuba called on Gwaidho to refund any money found to have been improperly obtained so that deserving beneficiaries can access the funds.
The mayor also dismissed allegations that he received sh6 million in connection with the programme, saying he was prepared to face any legal investigation and that no one is above the law.
He further alleged that funds meant for Parish Development Council (PDC) allowances had been diverted and pledged to pursue the matter until accountability is achieved.
In response, Gwaidho denied all allegations against him, maintaining that he operates under the directives of his supervisors, particularly the Town Clerk.
He stated that individuals identified as Bateganya and Kiiza, who had not yet received PDM funds, were already included on the beneficiaries’ list and assured residents that the matter would be resolved as soon as possible.
Addressing the meeting, RDC Kalikwani warned all officials involved in the implementation of the Parish Development Model, including members of vetting, loan and supervisory committees, that they risk losing their positions if found guilty of corruption.
He directed Mayor Tezikuba to compile and submit a list of all PDM beneficiaries for the previous two quarters, warning that anyone who fails to appear for verification would be treated as a non-beneficiary.
Kalikwani also ordered Tumwebaze to refund the money collected from the 20 residents and tasked the District Police Commander with producing two complainants, Francis Epyangu and Moses Bateganya, who failed to attend the meeting despite reportedly having received payments before the gathering.