“You Are Ignorant” – Deputy RDC Lyavala Blasts Parish Chiefs Over PDM

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reports that Iganga Deputy Resident District Commissioner Ahamed Lyavala publicly rebuked parish chiefs who had petitioned the RDC’s office about Parish Development Model community barazas in the district. The remarks were made in Iganga during a meeting called by the RDCs after a series of barazas organized by Senior RDC Eric Ssewandigi’s office to review how the PDM is being implemented locally.

According to the report, the meeting brought together Lyavala, Ssewandigi, assistant RDCs, parish chiefs and other local government officials. Ssewandigi told the parish chiefs that government officers should use the proper administrative chain when raising concerns, and he characterized their petition as conduct that went against expected discipline within public service.

Lyavala warned parish chiefs linked to what he described as problems in the PDM process that they could face legal consequences if investigations found violations of public trust. He also cautioned them not to rely on political protection and urged public servants to concentrate on service delivery rather than conflicts with supervising authorities.

Watchdog Uganda further reports that Ssewandigi said the PDM barazas would continue after the Local Council I election cycle ends. The Parish Development Model is a central government anti-poverty and local economic development programme, so disputes over its monitoring and administration matter because parish-level officials are key to implementation and accountability at community level.