Auditor General Exposes Staggering Shortfall in Parish Development Model Fund Recovery
KAMPALA – Auditor General Edward Akol has revealed a stark disparity between funds disbursed and amounts recovered under the Parish Development Model (PDM), highlighting systemic challenges plaguing the flagship government poverty alleviation program.
Presenting the December 2025 Annual Audit Report to the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, on Thursday, Akol disclosed that only UGX 9.340 billion has been voluntarily recovered from beneficiaries. This figure represents a minuscule fraction—approximately 0.29%—of the UGX 3.258 trillion cumulatively released by the government to 10,589 PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs).
The recovery effort pertains specifically to the 2022 cohort, targeting 18,105 beneficiaries across 709 SACCOs in 30 Local Governments.
In his report, the Auditor General outlined a series of critical issues undermining the program’s integrity and effectiveness:
· Funding of Non-Existent Projects: Significant resources were channeled to “ghost projects,” which do not exist in reality.
· Delays in Disbursement: There have been protracted delays in getting funds to the intended household beneficiaries.
· Implementation of Ineligible Projects: Funds have been used to finance projects that fall outside the program’s stipulated guidelines.
· Diversion of Funds: Money earmarked for the PDM has been redirected to other unauthorized purposes.
· Duplicate Recipients: The same individuals have been recorded multiple times to receive benefits, inflating beneficiary numbers and siphoning funds.
The Parish Development Model is a central pillar of the government’s strategy to transition 39% of households in Uganda from a subsistence to a money economy. The latest audit findings, however, raise serious concerns about financial management, accountability, and the overall efficacy of the program’s implementation structures.
The detailed report now before Parliament is expected to fuel scrutiny and debate among lawmakers regarding the oversight of substantial public funds intended for grassroots economic transformation.
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