By Mike Rwothomio

Stephen Cilican, Parish Chief of Pasaye Parish in Alangi Sub-County, Zombo District, has been arrested on allegations of embezzling more than UGX 8  million intended for the Parish Development Model (PDM) and local revenue collections.

Cilican was taken into custody on Wednesday, 29 September, at Alangi Health Centre III while attending a scheduled meeting. 

The arrest was ordered by Zombo Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua.

According to Ayikobua, Cilican is accused of diverting UGX 5 million directly from five PDM beneficiaries in Warr Town Council. 

He is further alleged to have misappropriated over UGX 1 million in local revenue during his previous assignment at Warr Town Council, as well as an additional UGX 3.7 million in local revenue collected following his transfer to Alangi Sub-County.

“We effected the arrest after he embezzled UGX 5 million from Warr Town Council, where he previously served. He is also alleged to have misused more than UGX 1 million in local revenue collected at that station, and a further UGX 3.7 million in local revenue funds collected from Alangi Sub-County,” Ayikobua stated.

Ayikobua emphasized that the ongoing anti-corruption initiative " will not exempt any public official", and issued a clear warning to other parish chiefs against engaging in similar practices.

Cilican is currently  detained at Paidha Central Police Station pending the conclusion of police investigations.

This development follows earlier enforcement actions, including the arrest of a town agent of Dwonga Ward in Paidha Town Council, and the March 2025 arrests of two parish chiefs from Alube Parish in Kango Sub-County and Omua Ward in Warr Town Council. 

Some of the  individuals were subsequently released after refunding the misappropriated funds.

During a recent PDM stakeholder meeting convened by Members of Parliament representing Zombo at the district headquarters, Dr. Walter Kumakech, District Production Officer and PDM Focal Point Person, highlighted concerns regarding extortion of PDM beneficiaries by certain parish chiefs and PDM SACCO leaders.

He noted that such practices are impeding the effective implementation of the programme.

Since 2022, Zombo District has received UGX 24.8 billion under the PDM, of which UGX 21.6 billion has been disbursed to date, supporting 22,263 beneficiaries, equivalent to 51 percent of the target.

While several beneficiaries have shared positive outcomes of the poverty-alleviation initiative, persistent complaints of extortion, deletion of names from beneficiary lists, and unauthorized substitution of beneficiaries continue to overshadow these successes.

District authorities continue to encourage members of the public to submit credible information regarding any irregularities in the PDM for prompt investigation and action.

Paidha Central Police Station

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub for Africa news, trends, and update. Stay informed!