Kwania residents excited over PDM
KWANIA– Residents in Kwania district have welcomed with excitement the Parish Development Model [PDM], saying it will improve their lives.
PDM, launched by President Yoweri Museveni in February 2022 is expected to lift 3.5 million Ugandan households out of poverty to a money economy.
The project is designed under seven pillars which include production, storage, processing and marketing, infrastructure, financial inclusion, and mindset change among others to improve household income.
The joins other government programmes that include among other Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation, NUSAF, and Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme [UWEP], among others, initiated by government to eradicate poverty in poor households.
Launching the program in July this year in Kwania district, Rt. Col. Charles Okello Engola Macodwogo, the state minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations said the government intends to support 10,594 parishes in the country.
“Each parish is supposed to get Shs.17mln to start the implementation of this program and later government will send this money in bites up to Shs.100 million with effect from the next financial year. This project will go for 5 years, he said.
Opollot Apollo Bernard, Kwania chief administrative officer says the district received Shs.348 million and disbursed the money to 49 parishes with each parish SACCO getting Shs.5.9mln.
“As I talk now, we have disbursed Shs 5.9mln to all the 49 parishes in the district. Beneficiaries’ have done enterprise selections and received the necessary training. We’re waiting for additional funding to begin implementing the project because what we have now is still little,” he told this reporter in a telephone interview.
Targeted beneficiaries who spoke to the Cooperator have welcomed the project with excitement.
Patrick Onyala, a member of Teduka Piggery SACCO said, “When we heard about PDM, as carpenters we formed the group and registered with the town council and did all that was necessary. Hopefully, PDM will improve the livelihoods.”
Another beneficiary Ecau Okello said, “I’m so glad government has brought this program at the right time. I am very glad that the executive has also given consideration to people with disabilities. This program will help to improve the livelihoods of the disabled persons.”
Kwania district vice Chairman, Geoffrey Eling Owera is convinced that PDM will alleviate poverty and propel Ugandans from subsistence farming into the money economy.
“People are interested in this project. People formed SACCOs and they did enterprise selections and as leaders, we have done enough sensitization. In some districts, this money was swindled but as Kwania, we said let the money reach beneficiaries however little it is. I appeal to the public to embrace this program, you never know a good beginning may make a good ending,” he said.
The Finance ministry’s permanent secretary and secretary to the treasury Ramathan Ggoobi says government will in a few days release Shs 450 billion to 3, 600 validated Saccos countrywide.
During this financial year, Shs 1.14 trillion was given to PDM, 1.05 trn being for the pasrish revolving fund.
According to records 8, 267 PDM Saccos had been registered by the Registrar of Cooperatives by July 31, 2022.
https://thecooperator.news/lira-bee-farmers-asked-to-form-saccos-to-benefit-from-pdm/
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