Police and other law enforcement agencies have arrested 552 suspects accused of stealing and mismanaging funds under the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM), with 492 of them already appearing in court.
The suspects were arrested during a nationwide operation launched on 4 August 2026 to investigate and prosecute people suspected of abusing funds meant to improve household incomes and move subsistence households into the money economy.
The operation brings together Police departments responsible for Crime Intelligence, Criminal Investigations, ICT and Operations, as well as the Professional Standards Unit, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Resident City and District Commissioners, Chief Administrative Officers and civil society representatives.
According to the figures released, 492 of the 552 suspects arrested, representing about 89%, have appeared in court. They face charges including theft, forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to defraud, extortion and cheating.
Those arrested include 251 SACCO leaders, 81 parish chiefs, 25 Parish Development Committee leaders, 23 local council leaders, 23 teachers and five District Commercial Officers.
The operation has so far covered 12 police regional jurisdictions across the sub-regions of Karamoja, Teso, Bugisu, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga, as well as parts of Buganda, including Luweero and Wakiso districts.
The PDM is a government initiative designed to help subsistence households participate in the money economy by supporting income-generating activities. Funds are channelled to beneficiaries through Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) at parish level.
Authorities say the theft and misuse of PDM funds undermine the programme’s objectives and deprive intended beneficiaries of resources meant to improve their livelihoods.
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