The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, has issued a stern warning to sub-county administrators, parish chiefs, and local leaders in West Budama Central County against mismanaging Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
Addressing a comprehensive PDM performance review meeting at his residence in Muwafu Ward, Nabuyoga Town Council, Speaker Oboth warned that officials extorting kickbacks from vulnerable beneficiaries would face immediate legal action.
"I was elected Speaker to fight corruption, and I will lead by example," Speaker Oboth stated. "Public resources must reach their intended recipients without being diverted along the way."
The consultative session brought together grassroots stakeholders, including sub-county and parish chiefs, LC II and LC III chairpersons, Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs), councilors, and parish SACCO executives.
Key district heads in attendance included Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Salim Bategana and District Police Commander (DPC) Martin Karrekyezi.
RDC Bategana called on local administrators to protect the integrity of the PDM as a sustainable mechanism to permanently transition subsistence households into the money economy.
The meeting showcased local success stories, including beneficiary Beatrice Nyafwono, who split her Shs1 million PDM capital between piggery and commercial cassava farming. The proceeds funded the acquisition of dairy cows and the establishment of a profitable retail shop.
DPC Karrekyezi pledged heightened police intervention to protect PDM investments, particularly targeting livestock theft across the district, and warned officials against shielding perpetrators from prosecution.
Speaker Oboth urged leaders to desist from interfering with law enforcement and commended District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) for monitoring grassroots disbursements and compiling accountability reports.
He cautioned public servants against living beyond their means or demanding unauthorized facilitation from the public, advising them to remain content with their official government remuneration.
"You are not working for the President or any leader, but for yourself," Oboth emphasized, urging officials to foster transparent, accountable cooperation across all local governance levels.
Progress reports show that across West Budama Central’s 22 parishes and six administrative units, Nabuyoga, Mulanda, Mwello, Pajwenda, Siwa, and Nabuyoga Town Council, Shs8.590 billion was successfully disbursed to 7,873 households between 2022 and 2025, with an additional Shs1.072 billion currently slated for eligible beneficiaries.
