By David Akankwasa
The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi Ariganyira, has warned that anyone who secures leadership positions under the Parish Development Model (PDM) through bribery risks prosecution and imprisonment.
Speaking on Saturday during the wedding reception of Agaba Martin, son of Remigio Byamukama, the Kabale Diocesan Education Secretary and former Headteacher of St. Mary’s College Rushoroza, and Evelyn Agaba at Kirigime Guest House in Kabale Municipality, shortly after the couple exchanged their marriage vows at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Cathedral in Rushoroza Parish, Musasizi said corruption in the election of PDM leaders undermines government’s efforts to eradicate poverty through its flagship programme.
Minister Musasizi condemned reports of bribery during the election of PDM leaders, saying such practices compromise transparency and accountability at the grassroots.
He warned that anyone found to have bribed voters or officials to obtain PDM leadership positions would face the full force of the law if reported, investigated and convicted.
Minister Musasizi urged Ugandan’s to support government efforts to eliminate corruption, noting that accountability at the community level is critical to the successful implementation of the Parish Development Model.
He also rallied citizens to embrace President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s No More Sleep campaign by actively engaging in income-generating activities and taking advantage of government wealth creation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP).
Minister Musasizi encouraged households to maximise the use of their available land by investing in agriculture and other productive enterprises capable of generating quick and sustainable incomes.
Musasizi further tasked district chairpersons (LC V) with closely monitoring the implementation of government programmes to ensure transparency, accountability and equitable distribution of resources.
He noted that government continues to increase funding for the Parish Development Model, particularly in larger parishes, to expand its impact on household incomes.
According to the minister, district budgets are prepared based on local development priorities, including the construction and rehabilitation of schools, health facilities and other essential public infrastructure.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving service delivery across the Greater Kabale region and called for closer collaboration among district chairpersons, Members of Parliament and local council leaders in identifying community priorities and presenting development proposals that can attract government funding.
Minister Musasizi also urged elected leaders to focus on delivering services rather than engaging in premature political campaigns.
He appealed to the public to give their elected leaders adequate time to implement their programmes before demanding accountability, saying leaders should ultimately be judged on their performance in office.
