Early this year, one Sylvia Mukwana got an sms notifying her that she had received One million Shillings on her phone (Parish development model funds), a presidential poverty initiative program.
Little did she know that it was a trap and a channel a few individuals use to swindle cash from those who don't understand the project.
No, sooner had the money reflected on the phone than the PDM SACCO Chairperson contacted her. immediately Sylvia, the beneficiary was told to transfer the funds from her number to the account of Mukyelule, who happens to be the LC3 of Nyondo Sub-county.
According to the communication, It looks like there was a coordination between the LC3 chairperson & the pDM chairperson.
Sylvia, claims that Simon Wangota, the PDM SACCO chairperson went to their home and instructed her to send the funds to Mukyelule's mobile money number.
Being ignorant, Sylvia sent the funds to Mukyelule's mobile money account, little did she know that her money was being stolen.
Surprisingly, in the transaction process, Simon again transferred more 30,000/- to his number, this means that the beneficiary was left with only 250,000/- out of 1,000,000/- she was supposed to get as per the president's instructions.
Proof of transfer of funds, statement from MTN.
The beneficiary approached this publication in May, and we kept following up on the issue.
After engaging with several stakeholders, including MTN, for a statement printout, we were able to confirm that the money was swindled.
Upon getting enough proof, we got back to the beneficiary to find out if her money was refunded, but it is so unfortunate that even the District RDC did not help her, but rather sidelined with the area LC3 and the PDM SACCO chairperson.
The beneficiary informed us that she moved all offices, including RDC and head of PDM in Mbale District, but all in vain.
Instead, she was told that she was not the one going to pay the money.
"I was told that the money given to me was just a commission for helping them get these funds, they told me that they would pay the money when it is time of refunding it"- Sylvia.
According to information on our desk, the RDC by then was Asumin Nasike, who was recently promoted to the Mbale City RCC position; this publication contacted her a few months ago, and she confirmed to us that the issue was before her desk.
However, the beneficiary claimed that the RDC kept on tossing her till she gave up.
Our investigations show that in June, we went to Bufukhula parish in Nyondo Sub-county and realized that another old man aged 67 years was cheated 800k.
The money cheated belonged to one Omondi, a waraji dealer.
Speaking to Omondi, he told us that Mr, Simon went to his phone and diverted 800k to his phone number.
"Simon used my ignorance and took my PDM funds, I tried to follow up the issue but unfortunately I don't know the right path to take" - Omondi.
A stakeholders meeting was held at the Nyondo sub-county to iron out all the corruption in PDM in Nyondo, but all failed because it looked like all officials were influenced by the corruption.
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