KIRYANDONGO– There was excitement in Kiryandongo district days ago as Jennifer Kacha Namuyangu, the State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs officially launched the disbursement of Shs 1.3 billion meant for Parish Development Model [ PDM ] SACCOs.
Speaking during the function held at Post Bank in Bweyale town council, Namuyangu warned the PDM beneficiaries in the district against misusing the received money, saying that action would be taken against them if they did so.
She further warned the PDM SACCO leaders against increasing the annual interest noting that the official interest which should be charged is 6 percent, far much lower than what commercial banks charge.
She said government wants the 39 percent of the population in a subsistence economy to use the PDM programme to transform their households as they move into the money economy.
“I encourage you to ensure that you use it [PDM money] properly. The president has removed the technical people from managing it such that you are able to manage it yourselves but they will be giving you technical support,” she said.
She said government is focusing on the socio-economic transformation using the parish as the epicenter of planning and urged people to work hard so that they are able to get out of poverty.
She added: “Each financial year a parish SACCO will be getting Shs 100 million and by the end of five financial years, each parish SACCO would have received about Shs 417mln. The leadership of the district should do the monitoring, mentoring, and guidance.”
Isa Hassan Byenkya, the district production officer who doubles as the PDM focal person Kiryandongo district said they have registered 43 SACCOs, each one having at least Shs 25mln.
He added that as the district local government, they are facing the challenge of a lack of enough extension workers who are very key in the implementation of PDM, adding that six sub-counties have no extension workers.
He asked government to consider recruiting extension workers such that people are able to get adequate extension services.
James Sekairi, the branch manager Post Bank Bweyale Branch noted they have taken the PDM beneficiaries through thorough financial literacy training.
“We are ready and committed to continue helping our beneficiaries in the issues of financial management. We have engaged them at all levels and I am optimistic that they will use the knowledge acquired to put the money to proper use,” said Sekairi.
Martin Jacan Gwokto, the chief administrative officer, Kiryandongo district attributed the success of Kiryandongo being selected as a pilot district to disburse the money to the beneficiaries to the commitment, dedication, and resilience of its staff members.
Dan Muganga, the resident district commissioner Kiryandongo promised total commitment to ensure that the programme achieves its intended objective.
James Odoch, also a beneficiary commended the government for fulfilling its pledge to provide the PDM money. “We didn’t know that it would be a reality but now it has come to pass,” he noted.
Irene Apio, who received Shs 1mln on her phone commended government for prioritising the poor people in its development agenda.
“We thank the president [Museveni] for this programme because it is going to change our lives. I have received the money and I am going to invest it in my produce business,” she said.
https://thecooperator.news/ibanda-civil-servants-warned-over-misuse-of-pdm-funds/
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