Kakunyu Residents Raise Alarm Over PDM Fund Extortion

Residents of Kakunyu Parish in Bukoto Sub County have challenged the management of Parish Development Model funds, accusing Sacco leaders of demanding money from beneficiaries and questioning how households are selected to receive Government support.

The concerns emerged on August 13, 2026, during a community Baraza in Kakunyu, Masaka City, attended by the Minister of State for Local Government, Hon. Justine Nameere Nsubuga. The meeting brought Government officials face to face with residents who said irregularities within the programme risk denying deserving households the opportunity to improve their incomes.

For some residents, the issue was not only whether PDM money was reaching the community, but whether it was reaching the right people under fair conditions. Several beneficiaries alleged that Sacco leaders had demanded payments before members could access or benefit from the programme, raising questions about the cost of accessing a Government initiative designed to support low income households.

Residents also questioned the process used to identify beneficiaries, alleging that some selections were not transparent. They called for greater scrutiny of Sacco records and the distribution of funds to ensure that personal connections or other considerations do not determine who benefits.

The complaints took a further turn when residents raised concerns about duplication in beneficiary records. Reports presented during the engagement indicated that more than one person from the same household had received PDM funds, with some cases involving spouses listed separately as beneficiaries.

Such cases, residents argued, could reduce the number of households reached by the programme at a time when many families are seeking access to affordable financing to expand small businesses, farming and other income generating activities.

Minister Nameere listened to the complaints and urged Sacco leaders to treat Government resources as public funds that must be managed with accountability. She stressed that beneficiary selection should follow established PDM guidelines and should not be influenced by favouritism, extortion or other practices capable of undermining the programme.

The Minister also encouraged residents to speak out when they encounter suspected corruption or irregularities. Community members, she said, have an important role in providing information that can help Government identify weaknesses in programme implementation and take corrective action.

The Kakunyu engagement highlights a broader challenge facing Government programmes at community level. While funding is an important part of poverty reduction efforts, the impact can be weakened when beneficiaries face unofficial charges, unclear selection procedures or poor record keeping.

The Baraza therefore offered more than an opportunity for residents to air grievances. It provided a direct account of how a national development programme is being experienced at household level, where questions of fairness and accountability can determine whether public investment translates into lasting improvements in livelihoods.

The concerns raised in Kakunyu are now likely to require follow up, particularly on the alleged payments demanded by Sacco leaders, beneficiary records and compliance with PDM guidelines. For residents, the expectation is that the scrutiny will lead to greater transparency and ensure that Government support reaches households on the basis of need and eligibility rather than influence.

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