President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday addressed thousands of residents and NRM leaders in Ntungamo, using the rally to present the party’s manifesto and highlight what he described as four decades of the NRM’s contribution to Uganda’s stability and development.
Accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni, who hails from Ntungamo, the President said the ruling party’s long-term vision continues to focus on transforming household incomes and eliminating poverty through targeted programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Museveni cautioned local leaders, Parish Chiefs and SACCO Boards against imposing unnecessary conditions on beneficiaries, particularly the widespread requirement for applicants to own land before accessing PDM funds.
“I reminded them that the PDM guidelines do not require anyone to own land in order to benefit. What is needed is a viable project,” Museveni said. “Parish Chiefs and SACCO Boards must stop demanding land as a requirement. PDM is not for the wealthy. It is for the poor to begin their journey out of poverty.”
To illustrate the point, Museveni cited the example of Ayesiga Kenneth from Nyamirama in Kanungu District. Despite not owning land, Ayesiga used PDM funds to rent a workspace and establish a restaurant—aptly named the PDM Restaurant.
“He had no land, but he used the PDM funds to rent premises and start a restaurant,” Museveni said, urging leaders to prioritise innovation, practicality and support for low-income earners.
The President reiterated that the Parish Development Model was crafted to give the economically marginalised a foothold, enabling them to transition into sustainable livelihoods and contribute to local economic growth.
As the campaign trail intensifies, Museveni used the Ntungamo rally to reaffirm the NRM’s manifesto commitments on economic transformation, wealth creation and continued social stability.
