Four PDM Leaders Arrested Over Alleged Theft of UGX 11 Million in Lira City.

21 July 2026, 12:16 pm

By Hilary Opio Omara & Regina Lalam Olal

Police at Ojwina Central Police Station have arrested four Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO leaders over the alleged misappropriation of UGX 11 million meant for beneficiaries in Jinja Camp Ward,Lira City West Division.

The arrests followed a meeting convened by the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Lira City West Division,Joan Apio, together with PDM beneficiaries and local leaders at the division headquarters on Monday July 20,2026.

Those arrested include Harriet Aringo,the Community Development Officer (CDO) for Lira City West Division,Beatrice Anyai the Town Agent for Jinja Camp Ward,Doreen Adeo the Treasurer of Jinja Camp Ward SACCO and Tonny Ogwal the Chairperson of the SACCO.

Police are also searching for Felton Ogwal, the SACCO Secretary,who is currently on the run.

The suspects are accused of allegedly diverting UGX 11 million that had been released by the government to support PDM beneficiaries in Jinja Camp Ward.

RCC Joan Apio said the arrests followed numerous complaints from beneficiaries who claimed they had not received their funds despite government releases.

She emphasized that investigations are ongoing and that all those responsible for misusing public funds will be held accountable.

Lira City West Division Mayor Emmanuel Ebong Opeto welcomed the arrests,saying the division will not shield anyone implicated in the theft of government funds.

He urged residents to continue reporting corruption and misuse of public resources.

However,Community Development Officer Harriet Aringo denied any involvement in the alleged theft.She explained that her role was limited to receiving documents from the SACCO leadership and submitting them into the PDM computer system,insisting that the Chairperson,Secretary,and Treasurer were responsible for authorizing payments to beneficiaries.

Jinja Camp “B” Cell Chairperson Vincent Kizito Odaga praised RCC Joan Apio and the police for taking action,calling for tougher measures against individuals accused of stealing funds under the PDM and Restocking programmes.

One of the affected member,Omara Opio,alleged that all the arrested officials played a role in the disappearance of the UGX 11 million intended for PDM beneficiaries.

Another beneficiary,Bonny Francis Okulle, urged security agencies to arrest the fugitive SACCO Secretary,Felton Ogwal,accusing him of collecting signatures from beneficiaries and allegedly withdrawing UGX 1 million on behalf of each of more than 10 beneficiaries.

By the time this report was filed,Felton Ogwal remained at large,and repeated phone calls from our news desk seeking his comment had gone unanswered.

Police investigations into the alleged theft are ongoing.