Kyankwanzi PDM group chief charged over sh50m seeks bail

KAMPALA - Lubiri Kyankwanzi Parish Development Model (PDM) Savings and Credit Co-operative Society (SACCO) chairperson charged with embezzling shillings 50 million, is seeking release on bail. 

PDM is a flagship poverty-alleviation drive spearheaded by President Yoweri Museveni, which was launched in 2022.

Damiano Ssali,35, also described as a laboratory technician and a resident of Lubiri LC1 in Kyankwanzi sub-county, Kyankwanzi district, was charged before the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court on July 3, 2025.

Ssali is scheduled to appear before, before Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit to apply for bail.

He was charged last week, on July 3, 2025, with one count of embezzlement contrary to sections 18(a) and (iii) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap 116.

A person found guilty of embezzlement under the Act is liable to up to 14 years in prison, a fine of shillings 6.7 million, or both.

Prosecution, led by senior state attorney Raymond Mugisa from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), alleges that Ssali, together with others still at large, while serving as chairperson of the PDM SACCO, stole shillings 50 million belonging to the organisation.

The prosecution further alleges that he embezzled the funds by having access to them through his position as the chairperson.

Earlier on July 3, 2025, Ssali, who appeared in court without a lawyer, denied the charge and was remanded to Luzira Prison until today, July 14, 2025, when the case will come up for mention.

Mugisa informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing and requested more time to enable the prosecution to update the court on the status of the inquiries.