The Lira Chief Magistrates Court has convicted and sentenced a woman identified as Sarah Atim on charges related to the mismanagement of Parish Development Funds in Lira district.

In a ruling delivered on Friday, 7th March 2025, by His Worship Joe Fay Adoko, Atim was sentenced to one year, 11 months, and three weeks in prison after she was found guilty of the offense.

Atim was the chairperson of Ipito Aweo PDM SACCO in Lira, and she was found guilty of obtaining millions of shillings from thousands of PDM beneficiaries in Lira district in order for them to access their funds.

Mariam Natasha, the spokesperson of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), said Atim was arrested in mid-2024 and immediately remanded to Lira Central government prison.

“The accused, being the chairperson of the Ipito Aweno PDM SACCO in the Lira City West division, has allegedly been obtaining money from various chairpersons of PDM groups, claiming that she is in charge of the online registration of these groups, whereas she is not. She has been remanded until 14/06/2024,” reads part of her charge sheet.

Atim is the latest suspect to be convicted over the mismanagement of PDM funds.  Last year, while touring the Sebei, Bukedi, Teso, Karamoja, and Bugisu sub regions, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered massive investigations into the alleged mismanagement of PDM funds.