A chairperson of a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) has been sentenced to two months in prison for soliciting a bribe linked to the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
Moses Katumba, a resident of Nakoosi village in Namuyenje, was convicted after pleading guilty to corruption charges before the Anti-Corruption Court on June 18, 2025. The case was presided over by Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe.
When asked in court whether he had demanded a bribe, Katumba confessed, saying, “It is true.” Magistrate Asiimwe formally recorded a plea of guilty.
According to Senior State Attorney Raymond Mugisa from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Katumba, in his capacity as chairperson of Namuyenje-Nakisunga PDM SACCO Ltd, solicited a bribe of UGX 25,000 from a beneficiary, Dick Mawanda. The bribe was in exchange for granting Mawanda access to PDM funds.
Mugisa noted that although Katumba was a first-time offender with no prior convictions, his actions deprived eligible beneficiaries of financial support meant for income-generating ventures. He urged the court to impose a firm sentence to deter similar cases.
In her ruling, Magistrate Asiimwe expressed concern over the rising trend of corruption, especially involving public funds. She acknowledged Katumba’s guilty plea and remorse, noting that he had not wasted the court’s time.
Besides the custodial sentence, Katumba was also ordered to compensate the complainant, Mawanda, with UGX 50,000.
The judgment comes just weeks after President Yoweri Museveni, while on a tour in Kasese district on May 12, 2025, cautioned local leaders against misusing PDM funds.
