Police arrest 552 suspects over alleged theft of PDM funds

What the report says

Uganda police have arrested 552 people in a nationwide operation over alleged theft, embezzlement, forgery and extortion linked to Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, according to Nile Post. Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said 429 of the suspects had already appeared in court as the crackdown, launched on August 4, 2026, continued across multiple regions.

The operation has so far covered 12 police regional jurisdictions, including areas such as Karamoja, Teso, Bugisu, Sebei, Bukedi, Busoga and parts of Buganda. Police said the accused include SACCO leaders, parish chiefs, parish development committee leaders, local council figures, teachers and district commercial officers. Authorities allege that some suspects used forged documents to divert money, while others demanded illegal payments from beneficiaries before releasing funds.

Kituuma said the investigation involves several agencies, among them the Criminal Investigations Directorate, the Directorate of Crime Intelligence, the Police Professional Standards Unit, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Internal Security Organisation. He also warned that police officers implicated in the suspected abuse will face discipline.

The PDM is a government program meant to help households move from subsistence production into the money economy through parish-level support. Police said the alleged misuse of the funds defeats that goal and deprives intended beneficiaries of assistance. Officials said the crackdown will be expanded to more parts of the country, including areas not yet covered in western Uganda.