Beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Iganga District have lauded President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for initiating the program, saying it has enabled them to undertake income-generating projects that have improved their livelihoods.
The testimonies came during a PDM monitoring and evaluation exercise in Nakavule Parish, Iganga Central Division, led by Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Hakim Kirigwa.
The officials reported that at least 308 residents in the parish have benefited from the program.
One beneficiary, Bashir Mpaata from Nakavule A, revealed that he invested Shs1 million received from PDM into turkey farming.
Today, he owns over 30 turkeys, each selling for Shs50,000 to Shs60,000, which he said has significantly improved his family’s financial situation.
“I want to thank President Museveni for this programme which has transformed our lives. I bought turkeys out of my Shs1m PDM funds and I have over 30 turkeys which I sell at Shs50,000 or Shs60,000 each,” Mpaata said.
He further requested an increase in the program’s funding to allow more residents to benefit and pledged support for Museveni ahead of the 2026 elections.
He refuted claims that Museveni lost votes in the area during previous elections, urging the deployment of “genuine and trustworthy agents” to ensure accurate results.
Deputy RDC Hakim Kirigwa emphasized the importance of the program and encouraged residents to continue supporting the president, noting that Museveni plans to increase funding from Shs100 million to Shs200 million per parish.
“The president has emphasized the PDM programme with a lower interest of 6% per annum, and other programmes which have changed lives of Ugandans. I implore you to vote for him next year because he is planning to have Shs200m disbursed in each parish to PDM beneficiaries. This parish alone has 308 beneficiaries and more people will benefit,” Kirigwa said.
He also highlighted government efforts to move Ugandans from poverty into the money economy, stating that 67% of citizens have already transitioned and encouraging the remaining 33% to embrace programs like PDM to improve their livelihoods.
President Museveni is expected to visit Iganga District on November 17, 2025, as part of his campaign trail across the Busoga sub-region.