By Jamillah Kemigisa
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s flagship socioeconomic initiative, the Parish Development Model (PDM), is drawing enthusiastic support from communities across Uganda, with powerful testimonies from beneficiaries underscoring its transformative impact at the grassroots level.
This week, during a field tour to assess PDM’s implementation in Kabarole District, President Museveni visited various project sites and met face-to-face with local entrepreneurs whose lives have been uplifted through the program. Among the most compelling voices was that of Mrs. Mukundane Rosette, who shared her personal journey from economic hardship to newfound financial empowerment.
“Thanks to the PDM fund, I was able to touch my first million shillings in life,” she said, visibly emotional. “That one million has grown. I’ve invested in goats and cows, and now I’m a businesswoman with hope for the future.” Her story mirrors those of many Ugandans who are stepping into the money economy through targeted government support.
President Museveni reiterated the core philosophy of the PDM: channeling resources directly to households to promote self-reliant, community-driven development. He emphasized that traditional elitist approaches have failed to address the real needs of ordinary Ugandans.
“Elitist strategies have failed us before,” he said. “We must prioritize mass interventions that directly address the common challenges Ugandans face — especially financial exclusion.”
To further bolster Mukundane’s project, the President donated UGX 10 million to help her start poultry farming, UGX 4 million for a water tank, and UGX 1 million each to other PDM beneficiaries present. He also announced a new national rural water plan, to be spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, aimed at improving water access for farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity.
Accompanying the President, First Lady Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni praised the PDM as “a historical and unmatched initiative,” urging citizens to fully embrace the opportunity it presents. “This is a chance for all Ugandans to rise — let’s not waste it,” she said.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa stressed that political support for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) must translate into active participation in government programs. “PDM is not just policy; it’s working. Let’s ensure every Ugandan takes part and benefits,” he noted.
Hon. Victoria Rusoke, Woman MP for Kabarole District, echoed the message, encouraging residents to seize the moment. “Let us build wealth at the household level. That’s how a nation rises,” she stated.
President Museveni concluded with a rallying call for a national economic transformation. He urged every household to move from subsistence farming to commercial production, noting that this shift would drive purchasing power, stimulate local industries, and lay the foundation for sustainable development.
“If every family joins the money economy, our economy will thrive,” he said. “Let this be the focus of all our planning.”
With real-life success stories like Mrs. Mukundane’s now multiplying across the country, the Parish Development Model is emerging not only as a viable strategy — but as a cornerstone of Uganda’s development agenda. The President’s message is resounding: embrace the PDM, invest in its vision, and let it lift the nation from the ground up.
