President Museveni has instructed National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Greater Mubende to focus on household income generation as a central element of the Parish Development Model (PDM) rollout, stressing that improving livelihoods is key to tackling poverty.
Addressing a high-level meeting in Kasanda District during his ongoing tour to assess PDM's impact, Museveni emphasized that grassroots transformation must begin with addressing family income.
He said: "You cannot talk of transformation when families remain poor. Everything else should come after we have secured sustainable household incomes."
The President urged leaders to intensify oversight of government programs, warning that neglecting their implementation undermines NRM’s vision to eradicate poverty.
He acknowledged delays in infrastructure projects, particularly road maintenance, and criticized poor planning by agencies like the Ministry of Works and Transport.
"Why should roads collapse while officials sit and watch?" Museveni questioned, directing urgent repairs for rural feeder roads essential for farmers’ access to markets.
Museveni also raised concerns about corruption in district service commissions, accusing officials of selling government jobs.
He ordered immediate investigations into the allegations, reiterating that the NRM does not condone corruption.
Additionally, the President condemned the illegal collection of school fees in public schools, calling it "a betrayal of the government’s commitment to free education."
To improve local governance, Museveni announced plans to increase salaries for LC3, LC5, and district councillors, acknowledging that low pay hinders their effectiveness.
He also revealed that Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) will receive refresher training to enhance their oversight, including monitoring PDM and preventing illegal land evictions.
Furthermore, Museveni outlined plans for a mass irrigation strategy to improve agricultural productivity, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and ensure food security in rural Uganda.