In Namayingo district, the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM), a government initiative aimed at alleviating poverty, has taken an unexpected turn as authorities uncover fraudulent activities within the Madowa Parish PDM group in Buswale sub-county. The shocking revelations have led to the arrest of Godfrey Matiya Wapatiti, a member of the group’s vetting committee, while Sula Baraki, a former Stanbic Bank employee running a Forex pay point, remains on the run. The duo is accused of withdrawing UGX2.9 million from beneficiaries’ phones using their technological expertise.
Namayingo Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC), Mr. Trevor Solomon Baleke, and other district dignitaries are leading a proactive campaign to monitor the PDM program’s implementation. The arrest and pursuit are part of their efforts to ensure transparency and integrity in the execution of government programs.
Wapatiti, currently in detention at Namayingo Police station, and Baraki allegedly exploited their knowledge of technology to access the phones of various individuals and withdraw money from their accounts. Baleke expressed dismay at such fraudulent practices, emphasizing that those engaging in such activities are undermining the government’s program.
Efforts to apprehend Sula Baraki are underway, with Mr. Baleke confident that justice will be served. He asserted that individuals involved in fraudulent activities related to the PDM program will be brought to book and face the full force of the law.
Baleke highlighted Baraki’s alleged history as a fraudster, noting that his employment at Stanbic Bank was reportedly terminated due to similar accusations. The authorities are determined to ensure that the culprits compensate the innocent people from whom money was stolen.
The PDM program, considered a significant catalyst for development by government authorities, aims to transform the lives of ordinary Ugandans. Despite the setback caused by fraudulent actions in Namayingo, the commitment to the success of the PDM initiative remains firm, with authorities working diligently to maintain the integrity of the program nationwide.
