Lira City East Deputy RCC Warns Newly Elected PDM Leaders Against Corruption, Calls for Transparent Management of Government Funds

LCC TV NEWS

LIRA, UGANDA – In a decisive move to safeguard the integrity of Uganda’s flagship poverty alleviation program, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Lira City East Division, Mr. Steven Odongo, has issued a firm warning to the newly elected leaders of the Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCOs, urging them to shun corruption and manage government funds with the utmost transparency.

Presiding over the high-stakes elections for the Akia Ward PDM SACCO leadership at Akia Primary School, Mr. Odongo laid down the law, emphasizing that the government’s zero-tolerance policy on graft extends to the grassroots level. He charged the incoming committee members with the sacred duty of ensuring that PDM funds are disbursed fairly and without favoritism, political interference, or discrimination.

"The Parish Development Model is not a political tool; it is a vehicle for economic transformation," Mr. Odongo stated. "The money belongs to the people and must reach the intended beneficiaries. Anyone who attempts to steal or divert these funds will be held personally accountable."

Mr. Odongo stressed that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s administration has no room for embezzlers, warning that any official found mismanaging the revolving fund would face the full force of the law. His remarks come at a critical juncture as the government scales up efforts to combat household poverty through strategic investment in income-generating activities at the parish level.

A Call for Productive Investment and Unity

Echoing the Deputy RCC’s sentiments, the NRM Chairperson for Akia Ward, Mr. Alex Ongom, lauded the government for the PDM initiative, noting its potential to uplift households if managed correctly. He appealed to both current and future beneficiaries to channel the funds into productive enterprises rather than diverting them to non-developmental or consumptive expenditures.

"A revolving fund only works if we pay back," Mr. Ongom cautioned. "I encourage all beneficiaries to repay on time so that other community members can also access this opportunity."

He further urged the community to foster unity and avoid baseless accusations against leaders, calling on the newly elected officials to collaborate for the holistic development of Akia Ward.

The New Faces of Leadership

Following a transparent electoral process, Mr. Robert Ocero, widely known as "OC," emerged as the newly elected Chairperson of the Akia Ward PDM SACCO. He will be supported by Mr. Samuel Obua Owani as Vice Chairperson, Ms. Agnes Akello Omiji as Treasurer, and Mr. Jackson Odongo as Secretary, alongside other committee members.

In a parallel exercise in Boke Ward, Ms. Rose Acen was elected Chairperson, deputized by Mr. John Kennedy Okwany. The Boke Ward leadership team also includes Ms. Patricia Akello as Treasurer, Ms. Brenda Angom as Finance Secretary, and Mr. Morish Okello as Publicity Secretary.

Strengthening Accountability

The elections, conducted peacefully across the division, are part of the broader administrative strategy to strengthen leadership and accountability within the PDM framework. By placing community-driven oversight at the heart of the initiative, the government aims to ensure that the Shs. 100 million allocated per parish effectively catalyzes local economic growth and wealth creation.

As the new leaders assume office, the spotlight remains firmly on their ability to steer these funds away from the shadows of corruption and into the light of sustainable development. The warning from Lira City East serves as a national reminder: the fight against poverty must be matched by an equally fierce fight against impunity.

LCC TV NEWS