HOIMA, June 28, 2025 – – Residents of Hoima City who had not yet received funds under the Parish Development Model [PDM] programme have a reason to smile, following the release of Shs 800 million by the government for disbursement.
The PDM, a government initiative launched in February 2022, aims to transition 3.5mln households from subsistence farming to the money economy. Beneficiaries of the programme receive Shs 1 million each in the form of a soft loan to invest in selected enterprises such as piggery, poultry, fruit farming, and dairy production.
Hoima City Deputy Mayor, Sylvia Nalumaga Byaryesima, confirmed recently that preparations are underway to distribute the funds to beneficiaries before the end of the month. She stated that the money, received mid-June, will be allocated across 16 PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs].
“Each PDM SACCO will receive Shs 50 million, and each beneficiary will be given Shs 1mln. This is the final tranche of funds to be disbursed in the current financial year,” she said. “This funding is intended to support our people in engaging in productive activities and moving into the money economy.”
Byaryesima also indicated that, going forward, each parish in Uganda could receive up to Shs 200 million, double the current amount, depending on how effectively beneficiaries utilise the funds.
She urged PDM implementers to properly sensitise beneficiaries to ensure the funds are invested in profitable enterprises and not misused.
“It is crucial to train the beneficiaries so they can effectively use the funds in accordance with the PDM guidelines,” she added.
However, she expressed concern over the lack of funds for monitoring programme beneficiaries in Hoima City, calling on the government to provide transport means—such as bicycles—for parish chiefs to facilitate programme implementation. She emphasised that improved mobility would enable officials to better support efforts to alleviate poverty among the economically active poor, particularly those reliant on agriculture.
According to available figures, Hoima City has so far received over Shs 4.95 billion under the PDM, of which Shs 4.1bln has already been disbursed to 16 SACCOs.
Isael Kabyanga, Chairperson of the Parish Development Committee [PDC] for Central Ward in Hoima East, said their SACCO has 257 members engaged in enterprises like piggery, produce trade, and poultry . He confirmed plans to distribute Shs 50 million to 50 individuals who missed out in the current financial year.
“I’m happy the money has finally been released, it’s already in our parish SACCO. Those who missed out had been putting us under pressure to know when the funds would come. Now that it’s here, we’re ready to begin disbursement to the selected beneficiaries,” he said.
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