Published on 25/07/2025
The Chief Magistrates Court in Koboko has sentenced John Taban Moro, a Parish Chief in Leku Parish, Drania Subcounty, to six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to stealing funds from the government’s flagship Parish Development Model (PDM) program.
Moro was convicted of theft following a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Authorities found that the Parish Chief had misappropriated millions of shillings meant to uplift vulnerable communities through the PDM initiative.
According to the investigators, Moro abused his office by making unauthorized payments to his own family members, including his father, brothers, and sister-in-law—actions that directly contravene PDM guidelines, which explicitly prohibit civil servants and individuals from the same household from benefiting from the program.
The court ordered Moro to refund the stolen funds, which he did prior to sentencing. However, Chief Magistrate emphasized that the repayment did not absolve him from punishment, noting that the six-month custodial sentence was intended to send a strong message to other public servants.
“This court will not tolerate the misuse of public resources, especially those intended for poverty eradication among the most vulnerable,” the Magistrate stated. “Civil servants who betray public trust will face the full force of the law.”
The sentencing has been welcomed by anti-corruption advocates as a step in the right direction in safeguarding public resources. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on the misuse of development funds and vowed to continue holding accountable those who sabotage government programs.
The Parish Development Model is a key pillar in Uganda’s efforts to eradicate poverty by empowering communities at the grassroots. Misappropriation of these funds undermines the program’s impact and the government’s broader development goals.
