Four officials from Manafwa District have been charged and remanded over allegations of theft and conspiracy to defraud involving funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme.
The accused are Wanzala Samuel, the Commercial Officer and PDM focal person for Manafwa District; Kashake Michael, Community Development Officer for Bukoma Sub-county; Nelima Harriet, Treasurer of Buwanzala PDM SACCO; and Kisaka Fred, Parish Chief of Busangayi I Village.
According to a statement by the Anti-Corruption Unit State House Uganda, the suspects were arrested following a joint investigation conducted in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate Uganda and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Uganda.
The officials were arraigned before the Chief Magistrates Court in Manafwa on charges of theft and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Investigators allege that in December 2025, in Buwanzala, Manafwa District, the accused persons—together with others still at large—conspired to defraud and stole UGX 8 million belonging to Buwanzala PDM SACCO and its beneficiaries.
“The four suspects, along with others still at large, conspired together with the intent to defraud and stole cash amounting to UGX 8 million, which belonged to Buwanzala PDM SACCO and its beneficiaries,” the Anti-Corruption Unit stated.
Authorities said the suspects have been remanded until June 10, 2026, as investigations continue and efforts to apprehend other individuals involved in the alleged scheme are ongoing.
The case adds to a growing number of corruption-related prosecutions linked to the Parish Development Model, a government flagship programme aimed at boosting household incomes at the grassroots level through organized SACCO structures.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said it remains committed to working with law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability and protect public funds from misuse.
