Parish Development Money Becomes Personal Drinking Money in Karamoja 

karachuna enjoying a traditional local brew Ebutia in a jug (courtesy photo)

By Richard Onapatum

In Kotido District, deep in Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region, the government’s flagship poverty eradication program—the Parish Development Model (PDM)—is facing an unexpected and troubling challenge: alcohol misuse.

What was envisioned as a transformative tool to uplift rural households is, in some communities, being rebranded by locals as “personal drinking money.”The consequences are not just personal—they’re structural. As funds meant for agricultural investment and small-scale enterprise are diverted to bars and local brews, the very foundation of Uganda’s grassroots development strategy is being shaken.

Launched in 2021, the Parish Development Model was designed to decentralize development by channeling resources directly to parishes—the lowest administrative units. The goal was to empower households to engage in productive economic activities, especially in agriculture, trade, and services. Each beneficiary receives capital intended to kickstart income-generating projects.

In Karamoja, where poverty levels remain among the highest in the country, the PDM was welcomed with hope and enthusiasm.

But in Kotido, that hope is now clouded by a resurgence of alcoholism.

“I was excited when the money came,” says Lokol Peter, a youth beneficiary in Panyagara Subcounty. “But I didn’t know what to do with it. My friends said we should celebrate. We drank for three days. Now I have nothing left.

”His story is echoed by Akiru Mary from Kanawat in West Division, a mother of five. “My husband took the money meant for our garden and spent it on alcohol. We were supposed to buy seeds. Now we’re back to begging.”

These are not isolated incidents. Local leaders say the problem is widespread, with many beneficiaries lacking the financial literacy or guidance to use the funds productively.

Robert Kennedy Okuda, Kotido’s District Production Officer, has been monitoring the situation closely. “We’re seeing a pattern where funds are misused almost immediately. Without financial literacy and community accountability, the PDM risks becoming a wasted opportunity.”

The misuse of funds has led to stalled projects, broken trust, and a growing sense of disillusionment among community members. In some parishes, the expected ripple effect of economic growth has failed to materialize.

Francis Obita, Senior District Commercial Officer for Kotido, confirmed that although the district received an additional UGX 2.9 billion in early 2025, only 86% of the total allocation has been disbursed. He attributed the delays to poor network coverage, low literacy among SACCO leaders,. 

“We had high hopes for PDM to stimulate local enterprise. But instead of investing in small businesses, some beneficiaries are prioritizing alcohol. We need to rethink how we prepare communities before disbursing funds,” Obita said during inception of new parish chiefs.

Charles Ichogor, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kotido, has joined the chorus of concern. In a recent district security briefing, he issued a stern warning: “Alcoholism is eating away at the very fabric of our communities. We cannot allow development money to be turned into drinking money.

This is not just misuse—it’s sabotage of progress.”Beyond alcohol misuse, Kotido faces logistical and administrative hurdles that threaten the success of the PDM. Twenty out of 56 parish chiefs failed to submit beneficiary lists on time, stalling disbursement and verification. Most parish chiefs do not reside at their duty stations, limiting oversight and service delivery.

Daniel Lochoro, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, said the district is urging sub-county chiefs and town clerks to monitor parish chiefs to ensure they are present and accountable.

Maj Martha Asiimwe, Head of the RDC Secretariat, during a monitoring visit in Kotido condemned the misuse of PDM funds for personal networks. “These funds are meant for everyone, not for personal networks. Silence emboldens the corrupt.” She revealed that some officials were distributing only UGX 500,000 to recipients instead of the full allocation of UGX 1 million, violating presidential directives.

The crisis in Kotido reflects a wider trend across Karamoja. In Kaabong, women dominate brewing as a livelihood. In Abim, alcohol use is linked to economic insecurity and health issues. In Moroto, post-disarmament peace has led to a surge in waragi consumption.

“Alcoholism is a silent gun in Karamoja,” says Kotido  Regional Community Liaison Officer SSP Narusha Kalisto.Alcoholism in Karamoja is deeply rooted in cultural practices, economic stress, and trauma. The sudden influx of cash without preparation has amplified the problem. “Money is a gift, not a license for indulgence. We must help our people see beyond the bottle.”

Kotido District has begun implementing corrective measures. Beneficiaries are now required to attend financial literacy workshops before receiving funds. Mentorship programs are being piloted, pairing recipients with successful local entrepreneurs. Community savings groups are also being encouraged to foster accountability.

Sub-county chiefs and town clerks have been tasked with monitoring parish chiefs to ensure compliance and presence at duty stations.

Kotido’s story is not just about failure—it’s about learning. And if those lessons are applied, the PDM can still fulfill its promise.Because when parish development money becomes personal drinking money, the dream of transformation risks becoming a local tragedy.