Kyankwanzi District has once again been rocked by scandal as three more individuals have been dragged before court over the mismanagement of the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds. This comes hot on the heels of President Yoweri Museveni’s recent tour of Greater Mubende, where he directed a full investigation into PDM fund misuse in the area.
Acting swiftly on the presidential directive, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, led by Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), this afternoon arraigned three suspects before the Kyankwanzi Chief Magistrates Court.
The Accused:
- Mutyaba Henry, the Community Development Officer (CDO) for Kyankwanzi Sub-County, stands at the center of the controversy. Mutyaba, alongside unidentified accomplices still at large, is accused of using threats and force to extort money from vulnerable PDM beneficiaries. He allegedly promised to include them in the government system in exchange for cash. The court has remanded him until May 21, 2025.
- Ntemu John, Chairperson of Kasoolo Nkawandwa Parish PDM SACCO, and
- Kizito Moses, the SACCO’s Secretary, were both charged with obtaining money by false pretenses. They reportedly collected millions of shillings from hundreds of SACCO members under the guise of “helping” them access PDM funds. These two have been remanded until May 6, 2025.
The scandal appears to be widening. These latest arrests come after Ssali Damiano, Chairperson of Lubiri Parish SACCO, and Sekamate Brian, a CDO, were also charged in a separate case involving theft of PDM funds.
This emerging pattern of exploitation has raised serious concerns about the integrity and implementation of the PDM initiative—a flagship government program aimed at lifting citizens out of poverty through grassroots economic empowerment.
President Museveni, during his recent tour in Kyankwanzi, expressed deep concern over corruption in the PDM rollout and demanded accountability. The fresh arrests are a direct result of his directive and mark an aggressive effort by the state to clamp down on misuse of public funds.
Public outrage continues to grow as more stories of manipulation and theft by local officials surface. Citizens have called for tougher punishments and strict oversight to ensure that PDM funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
Investigations are still ongoing, and more suspects are expected to be arrested in connection to the scandal.
This story is still developing.
