Ntungamo District has successfully recovered UGX 8 million for Rukarango-Kibatsi PDM Sacco, whose Parish Development Model (PDM) funds were stolen by District Commercial Officer Niwagaba Seth and Kibatsi Community Development Officer Arinaitwe Isaac.

Last financial year, Ntungamo District registered 129 PDM Saccos to benefit from the PDM funds and received a total of sh745 million for the program.

The Deputy National Coordinator of the Parish Development Model, Joveline Kyomukama Kariisa, emphasized that the government will continue to take action against dishonest civil servants involved in embezzlement and theft in public offices.

During the restitution of the stolen funds to the rightful beneficiaries in Kibatsi, Deputy National Coordinator of the Parish Development Model Joveline Kyomukama Kariisa highlighted that Ugandans have lost hope and trust in civil servants due to incidents of misappropriation and embezzlement of funds intended for them.

Expressing astonishment, Ntungamo District LCV Samuel Mucunguzi Rwakigoba Salongo discovered the presence of ghost beneficiaries even within the PDM system and cautioned the technical team about taking strict measures against corrupt individuals.

Deputy RDC Ntungamo Niwamanya Robert Kamuntu commended the members of Rukarango-Kibatsi PDM Sacco for promptly reporting the theft before the culprits vanished with the funds. He emphasized that those responsible will face severe consequences to serve as a deterrent to others.

However, District Commercial Officer Niwagaba Seth and Kibatsi Community Development Officer Arinaitwe Isaac remain in custody as investigations are ongoing, according to DPC Ntungamo Bushaija Hannington Kanimi.