LIRA – Lira City Woman Member of Parliament Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero has challenged city leaders to account for the utilisation of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, saying transparency must come before any request for additional government support.
Speaking during a meeting with city authorities at Lavington Park, Aceng said leaders must clearly explain how PDM funds have been disbursed and used before seeking more funding.
“Leaders must clearly explain how PDM funds have been disbursed and used before seeking additional government support,” she said, according to a statement issued after the meeting.
The challenge comes amid growing scrutiny of the implementation of the PDM, a government programme designed to lift Ugandan households out of poverty through organised community groups and SACCOs.
In a related directive, Lira City Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Emmy Lawrence Egole ordered PDM SACCO leaders to submit accountability reports, warning that misused funds or assets could be recovered by the government.
“Funds or assets misused could be recovered by the government,” Egole warned, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities are treating accountability in the programme.
Meanwhile, PDM Focal Point Person Dr. Nelson Okello revealed that the city had received about Shs20 billion, of which Shs16 billion had been disbursed, leaving about Shs3 billion undistributed.
Okello urged leaders to release the remaining funds to eligible beneficiaries, noting that delays in disbursement could undermine the programme’s intended impact.
The meeting brought together city authorities, PDM SACCO leaders and other stakeholders to review the progress of the programme and address challenges affecting its implementation.
The PDM is a key government initiative aimed at improving household incomes and promoting wealth creation at the grassroots level. However, concerns over accountability and delayed disbursement have continued to surface in various parts of the country.
It remains to be seen whether the directives issued during the Lavington Park meeting will translate into faster and more transparent use of PDM funds in Lira City.
