Beneficiaries of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Bunango Parish, Nalwanza Sub-County in Bududa District have pinned the chairman of their SACCOS over alleged extortion.

They raised their concerns during a meeting on Wednesday, September 20, with the Bududa District Woman MP, Agnes Nandutu, who also doubles as the state minister for Karamoja Affairs, at Buwakiyu Primary School. 

According to the beneficiaries, the chairperson, Julius Nasaba, has continued to remove the names of those who fail to pay sh100,000. 

They said they want to be guided on how to reshuffle their parish development committee leadership. 

Laurence Nasoba, one of the beneficiaries, said he paid sh170,000 after he was threatened with removal from the SACCOS for failing to contribute. 

Sandra Wetala, another beneficiary, said she was chased from the group after she failed to raise 150,000. She blamed the government for telling them that PDM is free and yet others are paying money. 

Nasaba denied the allegations saying he has never received money from any beneficiary. 

He said the money he requested was only for photocopying services and opening bank accounts so that beneficiaries could access the money. 

MP Nandutu said they have finalised plans to cater for the community development officers and parish chiefs so that extortion may become history.  

She said the program is still new and they are likely going to encounter a lot of challenges, thereby asking the beneficiaries to remain calm so that investigations into the allegations against Nasaba can commence.  

Meanwhile, PDM beneficiaries from Bushiyi Parish in Bushiyi Sub-County, Bududa District, are demanding that the money they gave to the chairperson of their SACCOS be refunded.  

It is alleged that Moses Namukowa, the Bushiyi Parish SACCOS chairperson, collected money ranging from sh100,000 to sh200,000 from each beneficiary. 

According to the beneficiaries, they have been waiting since April to receive funds in vain. 

They started demanding a refund after Namukowa told them there was going to be a delay in receiving the funds. 

Fred Musabi the focal person for PDM in Bududa, ordered Namukowa to refund the money he allegedly collected. 

By press time, Namukowa had convened a meeting with the beneficiaries.