By Zoomer Africa Editorial

Innocent Olama, a Wendi Agent in Zombo District, has been arrested after allegedly diverting UGX 7 million from Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to settle his personal loan obligation at a bank in Paidha. Olama was arrested on Thurday 4th June , 2026. 

The funds formed part of a UGX 50 million disbursement that Olama was mandated to channel to eligible PDM beneficiaries in Pamitu Parish, Abanga Sub-County.

Mr. Festus Ayikobua, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Zombo, confirmed the arrest, stating that the matter came to light after beneficiaries from Pamitu Parish formally raised concerns with his office. He noted that the funds  had been released to the group several weeks earlier.

“Upon summoning him to discuss the issue at the police station, the suspect appeared and admitted that UGX 7 million out of the UGX 50 million was utilised to service his bank loan,” Ayikobua explained.

The RDC further disclosed that Stephen Mungujakisa, Parish Chief of Pamitu Parish, was also taken into custody to assist with ongoing investigations and recovery efforts, after authorities cited discrepancies in beneficiary lists presented by the Parish Chief.

Wendi is a government-introduced digital wallet platform designed to support Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs), facilitate group financial management, and promote financial inclusion by extending services to unbanked populations, particularly for the efficient disbursement of PDM resources.

The incident in Abanga Sub-County reflects persistent implementation challenges within Zombo District’s PDM rollout. 

Local stakeholders have repeatedly reported cases of alleged extortion, manipulation of beneficiary registers, inclusion of ineligible non-residents, and irregularities in the flagship poverty alleviation and enterprise development initiative.

Related Article: Zombo Town Agent Ordered to Record Statement on Alleged PDM irregularities

In March 2025, Ayikobua ordered the arrest of a Parish Chief in Kango Sub-County and a Town Agent in Warr Town Council on similar embezzlement allegations.

To date, Zombo District has disbursed over UGX 20 billion in PDM funds across its 61 parishes through 61 SACCOs.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has on multiple occasions expressed strong concern over the nationwide mismanagement of PDM resources. He has consistently directed swift and decisive action against those implicated to protect the programme’s core objective of transitioning households from subsistence farming to the money economy.

Zombo RDC Festus Ayikobua confirmed the arrest.

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