Gulu PWDs struggling to access PDM funds

GULU CITY, September 5, 2025 – Persons with disabilities [ PWDs ] in Gulu City and Gulu district are struggling to access funds under the government’s Parish Development Model [PDM] programme, despite being allocated 10 percent of the Shs 100 million disbursed annually to each parish in Uganda to fight poverty.

Data shows that in Gulu City’s 32 wards, only about 5 percent of PWDs have benefited from PDM funds. In Gulu District’s 47 parishes, the number is even lower, with only 2 to 5 PWDs benefitting per parish, a significant shortfall from the intended 10 percent allocation.

Limited access, bureaucratic hurdles

PWDs have cited several challenges including lack of national identification cards, bureaucratic obstacles, and discriminatory attitudes at the local level. Many are also unaware of how or where to access the funds meant for investment in the agricultural value chains.

Musa Aryemo Matta, 104, a resident of Bardege B Cell in Gulu City, recently told this reporter in an interview that PWDs in the city are routinely overlooked in government programmes.

“We are left to fend for ourselves. The youth, women, and the elderly are prioritised in PDM, but disabled people are excluded,” Matta said. “We need intentional, targeted, and timely disbursement of funds.”

Hellen Alanyo, 52, a resident of Acoyo-Rom in Laroo-Pece Division, said she has not benefited from any government wealth creation programme.

“I lost my mobility during the LRA war. Since then, I have struggled to survive and care for my children. We are consistently left out. Even my children have missed out on education because of a lack of opportunities,” she said.

She said she missed out on PDM funding because she lacked a national ID, which she is now seeking to obtain.

Discouraged from registering

Vincent Odong, a PWD from Unyama Sub-county in Gulu district, said he was discouraged by fellow villagers from applying for PDM funds.

“They told me that people with disabilities shouldn’t register because we can’t repay the money. I felt discriminated against,” he said. “But I encourage fellow PWDs not to lose hope. We are capable of being productive members of society.”

He also noted a lack of clear signage and information to help PWDs locate the relevant offices for registration.

Data Disputes and structural barriers

Patrick Ojok, Centre Coordinator of the Gulu Disabled Persons Union [GDPU], criticised the 2024 population census conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics [UBOS], arguing that it underreported the number of PWDs.

“The census results were inaccurate. We’re now using the 2011 figures, which showed 12,000 PWDs in Gulu and Gulu City,” he said.

GDPU has begun profiling all PWDs in the area to compile accurate data for planning and programme implementation. Ojok said a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the National Identification and Registration Authority [NIRA] to facilitate national ID registration for PWDs at centralised locations.

However, Ojok highlighted technical challenges, such as PWDs who have only one functional fingerprint, requiring the use of next-of-kin fingerprints for registration.

Attitudinal and physical barriers

Geoffrey Ali, Chairperson of the Gulu Disabled Persons Union, said PWDs continue to face barriers including inaccessible buildings, lack of assistive devices, and negative community attitudes.

“These challenges create secondary disabilities and further marginalise us,” he said. “We are involved in advocacy, skills training, sports, and fabrication to support our members.”

Ali also criticised political interference, saying some local leaders are misleading residents by claiming that PDM funds are “free money” given in return for votes.

Government response and funding gaps

Anna Grace Akot, Community Development Officer [CDO] for Gulu district, acknowledged the challenges and pledged to improve PWD access to PDM funds.

“We are committed to ensuring PWDs benefit fully from government programmes. We will request the District Council to allocate specific support funds in the next financial year,” she said.

Akot urged development partners to prioritise rural areas, where many PWDs, especially women and children, remain unaware of or excluded from these programmes.

“Urban-based PWDs are the main beneficiaries. We need to close that gap,” she added.

She also advised PWDs to seek leadership positions to strengthen their voice and influence in policy-making processes.

Akot noted that the government lacks a proper repayment framework for PDM funds, complicating follow-ups with beneficiaries.

Funds disbursed, but many left out

Nelson Okello, Senior Commercial Officer for Gulu district, said Shs 14.4 billion has so far been received for PDM implementation across three phases in the district, with 98 percent disbursed to beneficiaries.

However, he acknowledged that the absence of reliable disability data is a significant barrier.

“We have been working without clear statistics on PWDs. This affects proper targeting,” Okello said. “Many PWDs are also missing out because they lack national IDs, which are mandatory for accessing the funds.”

According to the government’s five-year PDM implementation plan, a total of Shs 7 trillion will be spent, with over Shs 1 trillion being allocated for the programme every financial year.

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics [UBOS] reports that 12.4 percent of Uganda’s population lives with a disability. Disability prevalence is higher among women [15 percent] than men [10 percent], and is more common in rural areas [15 percent] than in urban centres [12 percent].

https://thecooperator.news/pdm-transforms-lives-of-pwds-in-lira-city/

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