The magistrate’s court in Manafwa has remanded two Parish Development Model officials from Manafwa District on charges of fraud and theft.

The two officials, Michael Khamale, the parish chief of Bunagabu Parish, and David Wakuma, the chairperson of Bunangubu PDM SACCO, were arraigned on August 16, 2024, by the Anti-Corruption Court.

The officials have been charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, obtaining money by false pretence, and theft of PDM funds.

According to a statement released by the Anti-Corruption Unit, between the months of February and July 2024, Khamale and Wakuma conspired to illegally demand and collect money from hundreds of beneficiaries of Bunangabu PDM SACCO as a condition for them to benefit from PDM funds.

The statement also noted that they went ahead and stole money meant for beneficiaries; however, part of the money has already been recovered from the suspects.

Khamale and Wakuma have been remanded until August 26, 2024.

They were arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, which was working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate of the Uganda Police Force and ODPP Uganda.