Don’t let thieves steal PDM funds, Museveni urges Lango residents

OTUKE, October 7, 2025 – President Yoweri Museveni has urged residents of Lango Sub-region to not only make full use of the Parish Development Model [PDM] funds but to also safeguard the money from what he described as “thieves”.

Addressing residents in the districts of Amolatar, Dokolo, Alebtong, Otuke, Apac and Kwania during his political campaign tour from October 1-3, 2025, Museveni emphasised the importance of protecting government development programmes from misuse and corruption.

The PDM, launched in February 2022, is the Government of Uganda’s flagship poverty alleviation initiative aimed at transitioning 39 percent of Ugandans from subsistence farming into the money economy.

“I appeal to you, please defend this PDM. Don’t allow thieves to steal your money. Thieves are bad; we must defeat them,” said Museveni. “Use all these programmes like PDM, Emyooga, and GROW project wisely to lift our people out of poverty,” he said.

Museveni announced that if he is elected to serve the next term as President of Uganda, additional funds would be allocated to each parish, specifically to include local leaders in the programme.

“We are creating more funds. In the coming government, I am proposing to add Shs 15 million to the existing Shs 100 million per parish. I want leaders to access this Shs 15 million, as they have previously been excluded from borrowing from the initial allocation,” he said.

Museveni, however, stressed that beneficiaries must repay the funds to their parish-based Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [PDM SACCOs], not to the central government. He explained that repayments would ensure that other community members could also access the funds.

“In the third year, the first group of beneficiaries will start paying back to the SACCO, not to government. For instance, if you borrow Shs 1 million, you will repay Shs 1.125 million after two years. Once all households have benefited, you may borrow again,” he said.

Local leaders welcome inclusion in the PDM

Tom Olet, LC3 Chairperson of Alito Sub-county in Kole district, welcomed the President’s proposal to allow local leaders to access PDM funds, saying it would empower them economically and enable them to set an example for the community.

“To me, this is a very good idea. Leaders have been left out for too long. How can a neighbour you lead receive Shs 1 million while you have nothing?” Olet said. “We were frustrated, but now we are happy with this proposal. Leaders should be the first target whenever the government introduces new development initiatives.”

Olet pledged his continued support for President Museveni, praising his efforts to uplift vulnerable groups through various government programmes.

“I will support the President for all he is doing. Look at the Youth Livelihood Programme, the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme [UWEP], Special Grants for Persons with Disabilities, and support for the elderly,” he added.

Officials call for accountability and sustainability

Charles Opio, the PDM Focal Point and Senior Commercial Officer for Otuke district, confirmed the concerns raised by local leaders and welcomed their proposed inclusion in the fund. He noted that involving leaders could enhance the long-term sustainability of the programme.

“If leaders were included from the start, they could have served as role models. Their inclusion now is a step in the right direction. It will make them feel part of the initiative and more likely to promote it within their communities,” Opio said.

However, he expressed concern about the willingness of leaders to repay the funds, warning that delays or defaults could jeopardise the programme’s future impact.

“My only worry is whether they will repay the funds on time. If the first group delays, it could block others from benefiting,” he noted.

Positive impact of the PDM highlighted

Betty Engola, the Woman Member of Parliament for Apac district, applauded government’s continued commitment to wealth creation through PDM and similar initiatives, saying many households in her constituency had already benefitted.

“We appreciate the NRM Government. PDM is a crucial programme that we want to prioritise in the next term. Many of my people have accessed the funds and are using them to grow their businesses,” Engola said.

In Alebtong district, the National Resistance Movement [NRM] Chairperson Robert Ocen reported significant success with the PDM rollout.

“The PDM has greatly empowered our community. So far, Alebtong district has received Shs 21 billion since the programme began. We have 69 SACCOs under PDM, over 2,000 households have benefited, and the district has disbursed 100 percent of its allocated funds,” Ocen stated.

As Museveni’s campaign continues, his message to the people of Lango remains clear: use the government’s financial support to fight poverty, remain vigilant against corruption, and work collectively to build a self-sustaining, inclusive economy.

https://thecooperator.news/govt-to-invest-in-fish-farming-museveni/

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