District planner Priscilla Asio signing the committment letter

Ngora district officials arrested and detained recently over the theft of Shs 242 million Parish Development Model (PDM) funds have reportedly agreed to refund the money.

Chief administrative officer, Lawrence Madada, chief finance officer Charles Elunta, district planner Priscilla Asio, district commercial officer Mackay Otai, Jacob Oluka, the district production officer, and Francis Egunyu, the community development officer signed a commitment letter to pay back all the Shs 242 million by the end of this week.

Jovrine Kaliisa Kyomukama, the national deputy coordinator of PDM, says she came with a team from the State House the Anti-Corruption Unit to recover the money that the said officials stole. She added that the secretariat would not tolerate any indiscipline in the management of the PDM program. Kaliisa further notes that the investigation into the matter will still continue until the suspects appear in court.

Ngora resident district commissioner, John Stephen Ekoom, says that the suspects had already returned Shs 103 million at the time of their arrest.

“We agreed with the six suspects that they refund back all the money that is the total of the money that is suspected to have been misused is Shs 242. So far on record, they have been able to pay Shs 103 million to Sacco accounts. The commitment that has been signed by six suspects, indicates that the balance of the money will be paid by Wednesday September 14, 2022,” said Ekoom.

Mike Odong L’ Asio, the Ngora LC V Chairperson, says that they are committed to ensuring that PDM delivers in the district. The suspects have been transferred from Ngora Central police station to East Kyoga regional police headquarters for further investigations.