President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni who started the assessment of Parish Development Model in Greater Mukono has called on Ugandans to fully embrace the it saying the country would have made greater strides in development if citizens had taken up government poverty eradication initiatives earlier and cautioned against listening to detractors and urged the public to focus on utilizing the program to eliminate poverty in their households.
The President made these remarks during his ongoing Presidential Parish Development Mode Zonal Tour in the Greater Mukono Region, while visiting Mangaliba Village in Namayiba Parish, Nakisunga Sub-County, Mukono South Constituency, Mukono District.
He was inspecting the success of Ms Harriet Nampa, a Parish Development Model beneficiary who has grown from piggery into cattle rearing through the effective use of PDM funds.
Ms Nampa narrated how she was introduced to the Parish Development Model program and what she has benefited dlsi far and said that upon receiving Ugx 500,000, she invested wisely and now earns over Ugx 2 million and expressed gratitude to the President for championing the initiative, which has enabled her to support her family, educate her children and generate a steady daily income.
The new National Resistance Movement District Chairperson of Mukono and the Proprietor of Hill Water Ltd, Hajji Haruna Ssemakula applauded the PDM initiative, noting that many residents in Mukono have benefited.
He also acknowledged that while some families have experienced hardships, such as the loss of loved ones or illness, the program remains a transformative opportunity and urged residents to listen to the President’s message for their own development.
The State Minister for Microfinance, Hon Haruna Kasolo who accompanied the President commended the Senior Commercial Officer of Mukono District Kenneth Ntage for his effective mobilization and sensitization of the public about Parish Development Mode and announced that each Myooga SACCO will receive an additional Ugx 2 million.
Minister Kasolo further revealed government plans to introduce special Boda Boda loans and market vendor loans, aimed at widening access to economic empowerment.
The Mukono Resident District Commissioner Hajjati Fatuma Ndisaba Nabitaka, who also serves as Chief Whip of RDCs in Greater Mukono, praised Ms Nampa for her exceptional success and urged residents of Namayiba Parish and Nakisunga Sub-County to continue supporting government programs that are significantly improving livelihoods.
The NRM Vice Chairperson for Buganda Region, Hob Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi encouraged Ugandans to seize small opportunities and utilize them wisely and cited Ms. Nampa as a shining example of how Ugx 500,000 can be transformed into millions, and cautioned against the culture of expecting large handouts without putting in the effort.
While addressing the local farmers, President Museveni lauded government officials for their visible impact on communities through PDM and reiterated his satisfaction with the program’s implementation in Mukono and urged all citizens to take full advantage of it, while rejecting misinformation from detractors.
In recognition of Ms Nampa’s efforts, the President awarded her Ugx 12 million to purchase a Tuku Tuku motorcycle, and pledged to buy her one acre of land worth Ugx 60 million and also promised to send engineers to drill a high-quality borehole in the village.
Additionally, the President gifted Ugx 1 million each to ten exceptional PDM beneficiaries, and Ugx 6 million to the LC1 Chairperson for the purchase of a motorcycle.
In a gesture of support to the community, the President also gave Ugx 5 million to bereaved NRM families and another Ugx 5 million to residents who got in an accident during the celebrations in honor of his visit.
The event was graced by several dignitaries who included former Minister for the Luwero Triangle and current PDM Coordinator in Uganda Hon Ssozi Galabuzi, the former Mukono North MP and State Minister for Water Hon Ronald Kibuule, Lt Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso, the Chief Administrative Officer Mukono District, Ms Elizabeth Namanda, the Head of Production, Mukono District Dr Fred Mukulu, the LC III Chairperson, Nakisunga Sub-County, Mubaraka Ssekikuubo, various government officials and security leaders from Mukono District.
President Museveni is expected to spend three days in the Greater Mukono Region and on the second day, he will officially open the Presidential Industrial Hub at Nazigo Town Council in Kayunga District, inaugurate the Ahamedi Sseguya Vocational School, and meet all leaders from Greater Mukono at Mukono Boarding Primary School.
