Dokolo North MP Ogwal Calls for Stronger Oversight of PDM Funds

What the report says

Dokolo North MP Joseph Jones Ogwal Omara has urged tighter oversight of the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying public funds should reach intended beneficiaries and help raise household incomes. He made the comments during a monitoring visit in Dokolo District led by Minister of State for Economic Monitoring Santa Alum Ogwang, which also examined the Emyooga and cattle restocking programmes.

The visit brought together MPs, district leaders, technical staff, councillors and residents. Ogwal welcomed the government’s broader effort to promote economic inclusion, but said the district still needs stronger accountability and faster action on implementation problems affecting PDM. His remarks came as beneficiaries in Adeknino Parish raised complaints of alleged extortion linked to former leaders of the local PDM SACCO.

According to the report, some residents told the minister they were asked to pay money before accessing funds, and the minister directed the Resident District Commissioner to work with security agencies to trace the two former officials named in the allegations. Alum also raised concerns about reported cases where PDM beneficiaries in Adeknino and Agwata could not be traced despite large sums being allocated, and said investigations were under way. District officials said Dokolo receives about Sh7.1 billion a year under PDM and has recorded several alleged misuse cases, with most recovered funds returned to beneficiaries. Ogwal said the findings show why closer supervision is needed to ensure the programmes deliver real benefits.