Summary:
- President Museveni will engage with beneficiaries of the PDM, meet stakeholders including various leaders and technical staff and address a public rally in Kween District.
KAMPALA: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is scheduled to visit the Sebei Sub-Region from December 10 to 12, 2024, as part of his ongoing Parish Development Model (PDM) performance assessment tour.
According to a statement from the Presidential Press Unit, during the visit, President Museveni will engage with beneficiaries of the PDM, meet stakeholders including various leaders and technical staff and address a public rally in Kween District.
President Museveni recently concluded a tour of the Karamoja Sub-region, ending on Thursday, December 5, 2024, with an address at Kotido Grounds in Kotido Municipality. During the tour, the President visited farmers benefiting from the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM) program and addressed a leaders’ meeting in Moroto.
President Museveni highlighted the significant population growth in Karamoja, which he said necessitates targeted government interventions to improve the livelihoods of the people.
“These days when I come here, I thank God for the work He has enabled the NRM to do in Karamoja. In 1996, when I was campaigning elsewhere, I would see large crowds at my rallies. In Karamoja, they were fully supporting the NRM, but the population was sparse. Now, it feels like I am in Western Uganda, Buganda, or any other heavily populated area,” the President remarked, attributing the growth to government initiatives like immunization and peacebuilding.
He noted that, in the past, high child mortality rates due to diseases and conflict negated the effects of large families. “The huge numbers of people now are because of peace and immunization. I thank God for enabling the NRM to bring about these positive changes in Karamoja,” he added.
President Museveni pointed out that Uganda’s overall population has grown from 14 million in 1966 to 46 million today, emphasizing the importance of wealth creation and job opportunities. “For years, we’ve emphasized two key words: wealth and jobs. We aim to guide our people on how to achieve both. But wealth and jobs require peace, followed by health through immunization and good nutrition,” he said.
The President also underscored the need to address water challenges for domestic and production use.
“I understand this problem well because, in Rwakitura and other cattle corridor areas, we lack spring water. However, valley dams and tanks have resolved the issue. I’m saddened to hear that some dams in Karamoja have dried up. While boreholes can provide water for people and livestock, large-scale needs such as crop irrigation and supporting large herds require bigger valley dams. We are committed to increasing the number of valley dams in a significant way,” he assured.
On the PDM, President Museveni urged the people of Karamoja to embrace the program as a tool to eradicate poverty. Citing examples of beneficiaries who have successfully improved their incomes, he emphasized the program’s potential.
“The Shs100 million sent to each parish annually is designed to uplift those in small-scale production. For example, with Shs1 million, you can buy goats or heifers. In Kapelebyong, I saw people buying young heifers for Shs800,000. This program will continue, and I have instructed banks to stop deducting charges so that beneficiaries receive the full amount. You have no excuse to remain in poverty,” the President explained.
