Luuka PDM SACCO Leaders Jailed Over Alleged Extortion of Beneficiaries
Three Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO officials in Luuka District have been remanded to prison on charges of extorting money from intended beneficiaries of the program.
The Anti-Corruption Unit, together with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), arraigned Busalamu South Ward SACCO leaders before the Iganga Chief Magistrateβs Court.
Those charged include Chairperson Stephen Buwote, Secretary Safina Nangobi, and Treasurer Ziyada Nankangu.
Court heard that between May and July 2025, the trio allegedly demanded illegal payments from community members as a condition for accessing PDM funds, despite the program being designed to provide interest-free support.
The accused pleaded not guilty and were remanded until September 16, 2025, when the matter will return to court for further hearing.
The government has repeatedly warned SACCO leaders against misusing the PDM initiative, which aims to uplift Ugandans at the parish level through affordable credit.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, during his regional tours, cautioned that any leader found extorting beneficiaries would face arrest and prosecution, emphasizing zero tolerance for corruption within the program.
