Three charged, remanded over Kalaki PDM funds

______________________

Three leaders of Kakure Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO in Kalaki District have been charged with obtaining money by false pretense and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Joseph Olingo, Parish Chief of Okungure Parish, Kakure sub-county; James Edwonu, Chairperson of the Opungure-Kakure PDM SACCO; and Josphat Ocepa, Secretary of the Opungure-Kakure PDM SACCO, who appeared before the Kaberamaido Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 19, were remanded until June 16, 2026.

Three leaders of Kakure Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO in Kalaki District charged with obtaining money by false pretense and conspiracy to commit a felony. (Courtesy)

State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) in a media handout stated that the trio, along with others still at large, allegedly obtained money from hundreds of beneficiaries of the PDM initiative in Opungure Parish, Kakure Sub-County, during the year 2024.

In collaboration with the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) and Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODPP), on Tuesday arraigned at SHACU. 

According to the prosecution, the group falsely claimed they would include the beneficiaries' names among those eligible for support from the Opungure-Kakure PDM SACCO, which was not the case,” the statement said.

The trio joins several other suspects arrested by SHACU in connection with extortion.

On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, four Manafwa district officials were arraigned before the Chief Magistrates' Court on charges of theft and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The suspects include: Samuel Wanzala, Commercial Officer/Focal Person, Manafwa District; Michael Kashake, Community Development Officer, Bukoma Sub-county; Harriet Nelima, Treasurer, Buwanzala Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO and Fred Kisaka, Parish Chief of Busangayi I Village.

Explaining their arrest, the SHACU team states that “in December 2025, in Buwanzala, Manafwa District, the four suspects, along with others still at large, conspired together with the intent to defraud and stole cash amounting to sh8 million, which belonged to Buwanzala PDM SACCO and its beneficiaries”.

The four were remanded until June 10, 2026.

Other arrests

On Friday, May 8, 2026, two officials of Tegeres West Division SACCO were charged and remanded over allegations of stealing funds meant for beneficiaries of PDM.

The accused, Moses Siwa, the SACCO Chairperson, and Sam Sorowon Kwurus, the SACCO Secretary, were arraigned following a joint operation by the SHACU, CID and ODPP.

They were arraigned before the Kapchorwa Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of theft and conspiracy to defraud and were remanded until May 14, 2026.

Prosecutors allege that between September and October 2025, the two officials, together with others still at large, conspired to steal money intended for beneficiaries under the Parish Development Model in Kapchorwa District.