KIRYANDONGO, November 5, 2025 — The Kiryandongo District Local Government has launched facilities known as Parish Training Centres [PTCs] to enhance hands-on training for farmers under the Parish Development Model [PDM]. The initiative marks a significant step towards improving agricultural productivity and livelihoods in the rural district.
The PTCs will serve as community-based hubs within each parish, offering essential training in good agronomic practices, financial literacy, business development, extension services, and enterprise management to empower local farmers.
Addressing district staff days ago, Deo Kabugo, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, emphasised the importance of aligning departmental work plans with the PDM, a government-led initiative designed to help the active poor across the country escape poverty through participation in agricultural value chains.
Meanwhile, Dr Charles Kajura, the District Production Officer of Hoima, who was in Kiryandongo to offer technical support, reiterated the need for commitment from all departmental heads to ensure effective implementation of the PDM, which the government regards as a game changer in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
He underscored the importance of familiarising staff with the customised results framework linked to the seven pillars of the initiative, noting that these are vital for supporting Parish Development Committees [PDCs] in executing their mandates.
Dr Kajura also called for the prompt release and disbursement of funds to PDM beneficiaries, stressing the need for close monitoring of progress throughout enterprise implementation.
“We must proactively establish and oversee the practical training centres, providing consistent support to beneficiaries from the moment they receive funding until they harvest and sell their produce,” he said.
Under the PDM, each beneficiary receives a soft loan of Shs 1 million to invest in selected enterprises such as coffee, fish farming, dairy farming, piggery, poultry keeping, and banana cultivation, among others. Each parish in Uganda receives Shs 100 million from the government for this purpose, with more than Shs 1 trillion allocated to the programme annually.
Jonathan Akweteireho, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Kiryandongo, commended the district’s success in implementing the PDM over the past four years despite various challenges.
He cautioned parish chiefs against any practices that could undermine the programme’s success and urged pillar heads to effectively communicate their strategies at the parish level.
Akweteireho stressed the importance of ensuring that every community member understands the PDM as a powerful tool for poverty eradication.
“The PDM must reach everyone across all programmes and sectors. This initiative will empower communities with vital information and enhance the visibility of government efforts,” he said.
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