Business
President Museveni Urges Ugandans to Embrace Parish Development Model to Eradicate Poverty
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans to fully embrace the Parish Development Model (PDM), describing it as a powerful tool for lifting households out of poverty and transforming rural livelihoods.
The President appealed during his assessment tour of a PDM beneficiary’s farm in Buyego Cell, Buvuma Sub-county, Buvuma District. The visit focused on the success story of Mr. Muwereza Wako, whose family has significantly improved their standard of living through participation in the PDM program.
“Don’t lose this chance because it’s a big support to you,” President Museveni said. “Wako, who was poor, is now a rich man. He is blessed now with three cows and a milling machine because his family embraced the PDM program. I know that we are all not equal, but when you embrace the PDM program, you will eradicate poverty in your households.”
The President shared that his battle against poverty dates back to the 1960s and emphasised that the PDM is a culmination of decades of effort to develop sustainable economic opportunities at the grassroots. Under the program, the government allocates Shs.100 million annually to every parish, with each parish expected to receive a total of Shs.500 million over the next five years.
During the visit, President Museveni expressed concern over past mismanagement of public funds intended for poverty eradication, but affirmed that PDM offers a more structured and accountable approach. He also announced that beneficiaries from the first PDM disbursement, which began two years ago, are expected to return the Shs.1 million received with an interest of Shs.120,000, ensuring the revolving fund can support more households.
Moved by Mr. Wako’s determination and success, the President personally contributed Shs.12 million to support his continued growth—Shs.10 million to purchase an additional acre of land and Shs.2 million to invest in livestock such as goats and pigs.
From Poverty to Progress: Wako’s Success Story
Mr. Wako, alongside his wife Mirembe Eseza and their eight children, lives on just half an acre of land. In June 2023, he received Shs.1 million through the PDM. After bank charges, he was left with Shs.. 980,000, which he used—together with his savings to buy a bull and a cow. The cow gave birth to a calf in May 2024, while the bull was later sold for Shs.1 million. Wako used the proceeds to purchase a milling machine worth Shs 2.5 million, agreeing to pay the remaining Shs.1.5 million in installments.
The milling machine now generates Shs.. 15,000 daily, with Shs10,000 in net income after fuel costs, adding up to about Shs.300,000 per month. Additionally, the family earns Shs. 60,000 monthly from milk sales and uses cow dung and urine to fertilise their garden.
In his remarks, Mr. Wako thanked the President and government for launching the PDM, saying it had restored dignity to his household. “I was so poor I couldn’t even afford food for my family, but today, people call me a rich man,” he said proudly.
The President’s visit to Buvuma highlighted the impact of the Parish Development Model on real lives and underscored its potential to transform rural Uganda. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding the program and ensuring it benefits every parish and household across the country.
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