By Alfred Opio
PALLISA — Concerns are mounting in Pallisa District after reports emerged that genuine persons with disabilities (PWDs) are being sidelined from benefiting under the Parish Development Model (PDM) due to fraudulent claims by individuals posing as disabled.
The issue was uncovered following investigations led by Pallisa Town Council Community Development Officer, Kisu Ata, after complaints from community members and stakeholders over unfair beneficiary selection.
Ata acknowledged that government programs such as PDM, the Women Entrepreneurship Programme (WEP), and the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) have played a significant role in improving livelihoods. However, he warned that implementation gaps are now threatening their intended impact.
“Government has introduced many programs that are helping people, but we are facing challenges in ensuring that the right beneficiaries receive support,” Ata said.
Under PDM guidelines, special interest groups—including persons with disabilities—are entitled to a share of the funds, with at least 10 percent specifically allocated to PWDs to promote inclusivity.
However, Ata revealed that this provision is being abused at the grassroots level.
“Some SACCO leaders claim that there are no persons with disabilities in their parishes. Instead, they bring in individuals who pretend to be disabled to access these funds,” he explained.
He added that verification exercises have exposed cases where supposed beneficiaries do not meet the criteria of disability, effectively locking out those who genuinely qualify.
“When we scrutinize the lists, we find that some of these individuals are not disabled at all. This is unfair because it denies vulnerable people their rightful opportunities,” Ata said.
He called for stricter scrutiny in the beneficiary selection process to ensure that PWDs are properly identified and supported.
“This money is meant for them. We must ensure they are genuinely represented and benefit as intended,” he emphasized.
The revelations have raised broader concerns about accountability and transparency in the management of public funds, particularly under community-based programs like PDM.
Stakeholders warn that such irregularities undermine affirmative action policies and deepen inequality, especially for persons with disabilities who already face barriers to economic participation.
There are now calls for stronger oversight mechanisms, including the involvement of disability advocacy groups and local leaders in verifying beneficiaries to prevent impersonation and misuse of funds.
As Pallisa continues implementing poverty alleviation initiatives, leaders stress that safeguarding these programs is critical to achieving inclusive development.
Ensuring that persons with disabilities receive their rightful share is not only a matter of policy compliance but also a step toward building a fair and equitable society.
