Three leaders of Busalamu South Ward SACCO in Luuka District have been arraigned before the Iganga Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of extorting money from beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
The accused include Buwote Stephen, the SACCO chairperson; Nangobi Safina, the secretary; and Nankangu Ziyada, the treasurer. They were charged after a joint investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit of State House (@AntiGraft_SH), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (@CID1_UG), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (@ODPPUGANDA).
According to prosecutors, the three allegedly demanded money from residents between May and July 2025, claiming that payment was a condition to access PDM funds. Investigations revealed that this requirement was false, and their actions amounted to extortion and fraud.
The case has caused outrage in Luuka District, as the Parish Development Model was designed to fight poverty and improve livelihoods, not to become a money-making scheme for leaders. Victims say they felt pressured and deceived by trusted officials who were supposed to help them.
The magistrate ordered that the accused be remanded until 16th September 2025, when the case will return to court. Meanwhile, authorities have assured the public that such corruption will not be tolerated and that those found guilty will face the full force of the law.
