PDM SACCO leaders arrested in Apac over alleged payment delays

19 August 2026, 8:56 am

By Daniel odongo

Police in Apac have arrested three leaders of a Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCO in Central Ward, Akere Division, Apac Municipality, over allegations of delaying beneficiaries’ access to funds.

The suspects are the SACCO chairperson, Ego George; secretary, Tommy Okada; and treasurer, Sharon Awor.

The three were arrested at Mebos Lounge in Apac at about 3pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while attending a SACCO meeting.

Apac Resident District Commissioner Andrew Onyuk said his office ordered the arrests following complaints from some SACCO members, who alleged that the leaders had denied beneficiaries access to their funds.

Onyuk said the SACCO leaders appeared to be acting contrary to PDM guidelines, adding that continued delays in payments had raised concerns about the management of the SACCO.

He said the RDC’s office had no option but to have the three leaders summoned to police to record statements as investigations continue.

“The payment will continue even though the three remain in custody,” Onyuk said, adding that the delays had raised questions that needed to be investigated.

Meanwhile, the Senior Assistant Secretary and Town Clerk of Akere Division, Elvis Onguu, confirmed that his office had intervened in a leadership dispute among SACCO members the previous week.

Onguu said the dispute was resolved, adding that communication gaps, poor coordination and difficulties in contacting beneficiaries had been identified as some of the factors contributing to delays in payments.

However, the RDC said the circumstances surrounding the delays warranted further investigation.

The Apac District Police Commander confirmed the arrests but referred the media to the Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Jimmy Patrick Okema, for further details about the case and the ongoing investigations.

The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.

The arrested SACCO leaders, however, denied any wrongdoing. They told reporters that their arrest had allegedly been instigated by some SACCO members who wanted to access the funds through their children and relatives, but that the leaders had refused to approve their demands.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the suspects remain innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.