Apac PDM SACCO leaders arrested over alleged theft of Shs 51 million

1 August 2023, 9:20 am

By Mike Okwang Ogule & Bakama

Police at Apac central police station have in custody four SACCO leaders for failure to account for over 51 million shillings funds intended for beneficiaries under Parish Development Model.

The SACCO leaders in custody are; Robson Otim, the Chairman Ololango PDM SACCO, Emmanuel Ekwang, Akere Parish PDM SACCO Chairperson, Samuel Odyek, Chairman Adem PDM SACCO and his son James Odyeny.

The suspects were arrested on Friday last week during an operation after a tip off by the affected SACCO members from the two sub counties of Chegere and Apac all in Apac district.

Apac Resident District Commissioner Mr. George Abudul, said the SACCO leaders were arrested on allegations of failure to account for the Shs 51 million PDM Fund.

It is alleged that the PDM SACCO Chairpersons withdrew Shs 17 million each from Post Bank Lira-branch and shared with friends, relatives and the in-laws.

Rogers Kafere, Apac District Police Commander [DPC] confirmed the arrest, saying investigations over the matter continues.

The detention of the SACCO Chairpersons came just after reopening of PDM activities in Apac district and Apac municipality. Previously, RDC George Abudul had halted PDM activities following concerns of extortion of money.

Apac district and Apac municipality received over Shs 5 billion for disbursement to poor households still trapped in the subsistence economy so that they can engage in income generating activities.

PDM launched in February 2022, aims to move 3.5 million households still trapped in subsistence economy to the money economy. The program emphasizes investment in agricultural enterprises such as coffee, dairy, fish farming and piggery, among others.