Former Kiryandongo parish chief arrested over alleged PDM extortion
Muganga ordered Aliguma's arrest on September 25, 2026, during a community Baraza meeting organised by Kiryandongo Woman Member of Parliament Jovia Katusiime at Kyembera Primary School.
Maureen Aliguma, the former Parish chief Kyembera being arrested by a police officer. (Credit: Yosam Gucwaki)
KIRYANDONGO - A former parish chief in Kiryandongo district has been arrested over allegations of extorting money from beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Maureen Aliguma, the former parish chief of Kyemba parish in Kiryandongo subcounty, was arrested on the orders of resident district commissioner (RDC) Dan Muganga.
Muganga ordered Aliguma's arrest on September 25, 2026, during a community Baraza meeting organised by Kiryandongo Woman Member of Parliament Jovia Katusiime at Kyembera Primary School.
The RDC also ordered the arrest of Dr John Osirwa, the chairperson of the Kyemba PDM SACCO, for allegedly colluding with the parish chief in the alleged extortion.
However, Osirwa reportedly disappeared after learning that he was being sought for arrest, and police are currently looking for him.
Umar Kabagambea, a resident of Kyembera village, told the meeting that he was supposed to receive sh1 million but only received sh500,000.
"After getting the money, the SACCO chairperson, Dr John Osirwa, came to me saying that the parish chief wanted sh500,000, and I gave it out in pain," he recounted.
Choice Nakate, also a resident of Kyembera village, said she was meant to receive sh1 million but only got sh450,000, adding that the parish chief followed her home to collect the money.
Rose Nyanjuura from Dyangi village reported receiving sh480,000 instead of sh1 million, with the remaining amount allegedly taken by the two suspects.
During the meeting, some SACCO committee members accused of extorting smaller amounts of money were tasked by Katusiime to immediately refund the money to the beneficiaries.
Several attendees also used the platform to share their experiences and concerns about accessing PDM funds.
Previous cases
Kiryandongo district authorities have recorded several cases of alleged extortion within the PDM programme, particularly involving SACCO leaders and some parish chiefs.
In mid-August 2025, two other individuals were arrested: Ibra Kisembo, the parish chief of Nyamahasa parish, and Stanley Odeke, chairperson of a PDM SACCO in Kigumba subcounty.
Kisembo was accused of extorting more than sh7 million, while Odeke reportedly demanded sh200,000 from each of four beneficiaries, promising them a soft loan of sh1 million, which the story says every programme beneficiary is entitled to receive.
In April 2025, four other people were arrested over the alleged theft of sh1 million meant for PDM beneficiaries.
Those implicated included Juliet Katusabe, town agent for Northern ward, Kiryandongo town council; Edward Katusiime, PDM enterprise leader from Mukonogum cell; Mary Atim, secretary in the district production department; and a SACCO leader identified only as Anguliga.
Investigations found that the suspects had allegedly used the national identification details of Oliva Katusiime, a resident of Runyanya village, to withdraw PDM funds without her knowledge.
Jovia Katusiime (C) said she initiated the PDM Baraza meetings after receiving numerous complaints from beneficiaries regarding alleged extortion by SACCO leaders and some parish chiefs. (Credit: Yosam Gucwaki)
Leaders speak out
"I condemn the extortion cases being perpetrated against poor people by government officials and SACCO leaders. We are going to hold these meetings across the district, and everyone involved will be dealt with accordingly," Katusiime affirmed.
Muganga promised to ensure that everyone involved is arrested and prosecuted, adding that many people had already been arrested and prosecuted and that arrests and investigations would be intensified.
Denis Dacan, the principal assistant chief administrative officer, commended the MP for initiating the community Baraza meetings on PDM, saying they would help people speak up.
"We have repeatedly warned these chiefs not to engage in such acts. Many have been convicted, some are on interdiction, and some have been convicted. I want to caution my staff that money for the community should remain money for the community. We shall not cover anyone in case of arrest," Dacan said.
District commercial officer Sam Kakumba expressed disappointment at the revelations from community members, saying the incidents had occurred without the knowledge of district authorities.
"I am calling upon the people to always inform our offices immediately so that we are able to intervene and address these issues before it's too late," said Kakumba.
About PDM in Kiryandongo
According to Byenkya, since the inception of PDM in 2022, Kiryandongo district has received sh13.2 billion, which has been disbursed to 13,177 beneficiaries.
"Each parish has so far received over sh307 million, distributed to an average of 307 beneficiaries," he noted.
He further stated that the Government has provided tablets to all 43 parish chiefs, all 13 community development officers, 43 PDM SACCO chairpersons, the District Commercial Officer and the Operation Wealth Creation Coordinator, among others.
The Parish Development Model, launched in February 2022, is a Government initiative aimed at lifting households out of poverty and integrating them into the cash economy.
Under the programme, qualifying beneficiaries invest the loans received in selected enterprises such as coffee, dairy farming, fish farming, piggery and poultry keeping, among others.