Ugx 4.3 trillion rolled out to Parish Development Model

The Government of Uganda has announced that the Parish Development Model has reached 3,571,108 beneficiaries, with capitalizing the Revolving Fund standing at Ugx 4.3 trillion to support household enterprises and accelerate Uganda’s transition from subsistence production to the money economy.

Beneficiaries can access loans of up to Ugx 1 million at an interest rate of 6% per annum, repayable over three years, including a two-year grace period.

The funds have been channeled through 10,589 PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) and each SACCO has received at least Ugx 400 million over the four-year period. 

Beneficiaries can access loans of up to Ugx 1 million at an interest rate of 6% per annum, repayable over three years, including a two-year grace period.

The progress and emerging priorities were discussed during a PDM inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Minister of State for Microfinance, Shartis Musherure at the Ministry of Finance.

The meeting brought together ministers and technical officers responsible for implementing the 7 PDM pillars to assess implementation, strengthen coordination and identify reforms needed to improve sustainability, accountability and household impact.

According to the Ministry of Finance’s Financial Inclusion Pillar report, adults aged 31–59 years form the largest share of beneficiaries at 1,946,086 (54.50%), followed by youth aged 18–30 years at 1,086,998 (30.44%) and elderly persons aged above 60 years at 538,024 (15.07%), while women account for the majority of beneficiaries, with 1,924,188 women (53.88%), compared to 1,646,920 men (46.12%).

The Financial Inclusion Pillar has recorded 222,389 enterprise groups, of which 183,430 have been profiled on the Parish Development Model Information System and this digital systems are being used to strengthen transparency, tracking and accountability.

The Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) transfers funds to PDM SACCO accounts, while the PDM Information System registers eligible beneficiaries.

Wendi, managed by Pearl Bank, disburses loans directly to beneficiaries’ mobile phones, while Zaidi provides real-time tracking and verification. Government has recruited 14,133 Wendi agents and distributed 27,100 tablets for registration and monitoring. 

Minister of State for National Guidance, Hon Alion Yorke Odria commended cooperation among ministries and proposed using Government agencies and regional radio platforms to strengthen public sensitisation on loan repayment, programme updates and policy changes.

The Minister of State for Animal Industry Hon Bright Rwamirama said Government has registered 645 premises handling agricultural chemicals and seeds to reduce counterfeit inputs.

He also said Government has procured and distributed 50.6 million Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine doses and established solar-powered cold-chain facilities in 53 districts.

As of June 2026, PDM beneficiaries had invested Ugx 425.27 billion in poultry,Shs 461.12 billion in piggery and Shs 453.52 billion in coffee according to the Financial Inclusion Pillar report.

The Minister of Local Government  Barugahara Balaam called for stronger accountability and warned against extortion, illegal charges, favouritism, political interference, fraud and diversion of PDM funds.

He urged Local Government officials to take ownership of implementation and ensure that success is measured through increased production, savings, value addition, market access, enterprise growth and improved household incomes.

Minister of State for Gender and CultureHon  Mary Kamuli Kuteesa emphasised the need to prepare beneficiaries before disbursement, strengthen training, involve political leaders in monitoring and improve follow-up after training.

PDM National Coordinator Dennis Galabuzi said the programme was moving towards a coordinated, whole-of-government approach organised around value chains covering inputs, production, storage, electricity, processing, value addition and markets.

PDM National Coordinator Dennis Galabuzi said the programme was moving towards a coordinated, whole-of-government approach organised around value chains covering inputs, production, storage, electricity, processing, value addition and markets.