A section of residents from Kasese district has demanded for an explanation about the criteria used for one to access money for the Parish Development Model Programme.
The residents want the concerned government officials to come out from their comfort zones and sensitize the people about the programme it is to register success.
According to them, ever since the Parish Development Model Programme was introduced, they still lack knowledge on who is legible to get money in addition to another challenge of the leaders who have allegedly been demanding money from them.
The residents sounded their complaints yesterday during the launch of the Parish Development Model Monitoring by government owned Media Houses across the country. For Kasese district, the function was held in Kasese town.
The government’s idea to empower its radio stations and televisions follows the continued corruption tendencies in the disbursement of the funds to the beneficiaries in their various SACCOs countywide.
Rose Biira, a resident of Kamaiba ward in the Central Division of Kasese Municipality stressed that despite her group being registered to benefit from the funds, a few of their members have received the money, a reason why they should be a clear explanation about the criteria used while giving the money to intended beneficiaries.
Isaac Balyaghe from Kahokya sub -county, noted that they have not yet understood the targeted poor that lie under the 39%, arguing that they are also poor in their families.
Prudasi Kabugho from Bibwe village in Muhokya sub -county told the gathering that she had paid over shillings 40,000 to the SACCO leaders for bank account opening, transport and other services to enable her get the money in time.
Responding to their concerns, Godfrey Bwambale, the Kasese Municipal Principal Commercial Officer said as the concerned government officials they have not been receiving reports implicating their staff of demanding money from the intended beneficiaries, asking the victims to always report such incidents if they happen.
Ms. Sharon Kabugho, the Kasese District Information Officer noted that it was the role of the citizens to participate in the fight against corruption that has been reported in the program implementation.
The Kasese RDC, Lt. Joe Walusimbi, who was the Chief Guest, had earlier encouraged the media houses in the district to amplify the voice of government when it comes to the full implementation of public projects like the Parish Development Model.
ENDS