District Security Officials have been assigned by State Minister of Finance (General Duties) Henry Musasizi to look into claims of fraud and extension under the Parish Development Model, or PDM.
Speaking at the ceremony to formally open the newly constructed Bulimbe Catholic Church in Ikumba Subcounty, Rubanda District, yesterday was Hon. Musasizi, who also serves as the NRM Chairperson for Rubanda District and the MP for Rubanda East.
The government launched the PDM Program in an effort to improve living conditions for the 39% of Ugandans who are still dependent on the subsistence economy. To date, the government has sent trillions of shillings to implement the program. Minister Musasizi did, however, note that fraud and extension cases had been documented in some Districts, including Sembabule and Bushyenyi.
He added that they had heard from officials in charge of overseeing and carrying out the PDM Program about beneficiaries being subjected to extortion.
“While I was recently at Bushenyi, I learned that certain PDM Funds were disbursed to beneficiaries who were not real. I’ve heard about authorities requesting bribes from PDM Beneficiaries, even here in Greater Kabale, and this has got to stop, Musasizi declared. He also gave security officers instructions to look into the claims of fraud and extortion.
The Minister also voiced concern about the fact that, despite receiving PDM Loans, some Ugandans had nothing to show for their assistance. He requested that Parish Chiefs, Commercial Officers, and other PDM officials lead the beneficiaries and ensure they constantly follow up on performance on the ground.
According to Minister Musasizi, in just two fiscal years, Rubanda District alone received up to Ug. Shs. 13 billion for the Parish Development Model.
Musasizi, in the meantime, praised the Christians of Bulimbe Catholic Church for their cooperative efforts in building a wonderful church that is the second largest and most exquisite in the Ikumba Subcounty, after Rubanda Catholic Parish Church.
He expressed gratitude in particular to well-known businesses and the late Peter Kamunyu’s kids for providing the majority of the monies used to build the church. Posiano, Akamwesi, and Willy Byandusya are recognized as having contributed the largest portion of the money needed to enable the building of Bulimbe Catholic Church.
Bishop Callistus Rubaramira of the Kabale Diocese, who oversaw the opening event, exhorted the members of Bulimbe Catholic Church to utilize the newly commissioned church structure for its sacred objectives in his sermon.
“This building should not be used for unholy purposes; instead, it should be used to glorify God.”
