The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A section of Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries in Kenya Ward, Arua Central Division, Arua City, are demanding the transfer of new Assistant Resident City Commissioner Job Matua Richard.
On Thursday, the disgruntled residents, carrying placards, stormed the office of the Arua Resident City Commissioner. They threatened to hand over the PDM files to Matua for implementation in the affected ward and accused him of undermining the NRM party’s support within the central division while mobilizing support for the opposition.
The controversy began on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, when Matua ordered the arrest of 11 members of the Kenya PDM SACCO. They were accused of mismanaging the PDM funds after it was found that a significant portion of the recent PDM disbursement, approximately 50 million shillings, was allocated to beneficiaries not residing in the ward.
Among those arrested and later released on police bond were Joal Adoroti, the SACCO secretary; Albashir Gule, the BOG chairperson; Ismail Maliamungu, the ICT personnel; Muhammad Zubeda, the treasurer; Safi Alema Tiyo, loans committee member; Kaifa Dagiru Gloria, chairperson of the loans committee; Bako Faida, secretary of the loans committee; Alice Orodriyo, vetting committee chairperson; Adam Boyi, vetting committee member; and Chandiru Grace, Town agent.
Wadri Mai, one of the affected beneficiaries, accused Matua of interfering with the PDM implementation in Kenya Ward. Mai claimed that Matua’s actions, including the arrest of PDM leaders without clear evidence, were unjustified and called for his immediate transfer.
Hellen Drabezu, another beneficiary, questioned whether Matua was deployed to disrupt the NRM party in Arua Central Division.
Swali Atama, the NRM Chairperson for Kenya Ward, criticized Matua for hastily arresting the PDM SACCO leaders despite ongoing plans to recover funds paid to non-resident beneficiaries.
Job Matua Richard, the Assistant Arua Resident City Commissioner, dismissed the allegations. He stated that any decision regarding his transfer would be made by the appointing authority.
*****
URN
