Summary:
- “We want to ensure that every Ugandan wakes up with a plan to engage in income-generating activities,” Minister Musasizi stated.
RUBANDA: The State Minister of Finance, Henry Musasizi, has announced the government’s plan to increase Parish Development Model (PDM) funds from the current UGX 100 million to UGX 200 million per parish to accelerate efforts to alleviate poverty and enhance economic activities at the household level.
Minister Musasizi, who also serves as the Rubanda East Member of Parliament, made the announcement on Monday during a community engagement at Ishanga Cell in Kagarama Ward, Hamuhambo Town Council, Rubanda District. During his visit, he listened to residents’ concerns and emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to the PDM program, describing it as the final strategy to eradicate poverty.
“We want to ensure that every Ugandan wakes up with a plan to engage in income-generating activities,” Musasizi stated.
He urged Ugandans to transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture by utilizing their land more effectively and increasing productivity. To reinforce this message, the minister spent part of the day touring villages, inspecting crop gardens, and sensitizing residents about the benefits of commercial farming.
CUE IN MINISTER MUSASIZI….ON PDM……RR//
Later, during a gathering at Bushato Church of Uganda, residents lauded the government for initiating the PDM program. Many acknowledged receiving funds and expressed gratitude to Minister Musasizi for personally distributing hoes to every household as part of the program’s implementation in Rubanda East Constituency.
However, residents raised concerns about damaged community roads caused by heavy rains and sought the minister’s intervention. They also appealed for his support in replacing the leaking iron sheets at Bushato Church of Uganda.
CUE IN LOCALS…..ON PDM…..RR//
In response, Minister Musasizi pledged to address these issues, promising to forward the road concerns to the Rubanda District Local Government, led by LC5 Chairman Stephen Kasyaba. He also committed to replacing the church’s roofing structure and handed over UGX 1 million in cash to the church choir to purchase uniforms.
The minister, accompanied by Rubanda District Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Martin Turyagyenda, later proceeded to Bushuura Trading Centre in Bushuura Ward. Here, he reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering communities through the PDM initiative.
Turyagyenda provided a detailed update on the program’s progress in Hamuhambo Town Council, revealing that UGX 600 million had been disbursed through PDM SACCOs over the past two financial years. He noted that each village had at least 14 beneficiaries who accessed PDM loans.
Additionally, the government had allocated UGX 40 million under the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP) and UGX 53.6 million through the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) within the same area.
Minister Musasizi’s active engagement and the government’s continued investment in development programs underscore their determination to improve livelihoods and drive economic transformation across the country.
