Masindi: Over 7,000 benefit from PDM

MASINDI — At least 7,419 individuals have benefited from the Parish Development Model [ PDM ] since its inception in the district, according to Cosmas Byaruhanga, the LCV Chairperson for Masindi district.

Launched in February 2022, the PDM aims to transition 3.5 million households in Uganda from subsistence farming to a money economy within five years. As part of this government initiative, each beneficiary receives Shs 1mln from the Parish Revolving Fund [PRF] to invest in agricultural enterprises such as coffee, dairy farming, fish farming, piggery, and poultry keeping, among others.

Starting from the 2022/2023 financial year, each parish in Uganda is allocated Shs 100mln from the government to support programme beneficiaries.

In his state of the district address during a council meeting on Thursday, Byaruhanga noted that since 2023, the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development has transferred Shs 9.51 billion  to 46 PDM SACCOs with each SACCO receiving Shs 207mln.

“Of the targeted 9,515 PRF beneficiaries, but 7,419 [78 percent] have received their funds, while 2,096 are currently undergoing selection and verification for payment,” he explained.

He added that the 46 PDM SACCOs have been well-prepared, with all required documents submitted to the auditor, and they are on schedule.

Additionally, these SACCOs successfully held their second annual general meetings from May 27 to August 5, 2024.

Regarding the Emyooga programme, Byaruhanga reported that 13 Emyooga SACCOs have held their annual general meetings, with their files submitted to the Micro Finance Support Centre [MSC] Hoima Regional Office for certificate renewal processing. “Of the 13 submitted files, seven are currently in the process of applying for more funding,” he said.

The Emyooga initiative, introduced in 2019, is a Presidential Cluster Initiative focused on wealth and job creation. It supports 19 selected clusters, including boda-boda riders, salon owners, carpenters, taxi operators, welders, market vendors, journalists, performing artists, and mechanics. Each SACCO can receive up to Shs 30mln as a revolving fund for members to boost their income-generating ventures at an interest rate as low as 5 percent annually.

Byaruhanga highlighted how these programmes have fostered a culture of saving within the community, increasing seed capital from Shs 1.2bln to Shs 3bln, particularly in the Emyooga programme. “379 jobs have been created for those engaged in the Emyooga programme,” he noted, while acknowledging the challenge of changing mindsets, as some people perceive the funds as free money.

He also addressed logistical challenges, stating that the distance of some members from sub-county and county offices complicates SACCO supervision and loan recovery. “Some SACCO leaders are difficult to access, making it challenging to mobilise members for meetings. Additionally, the Shs 30mln allocated to each SACCO for the entire county is insufficient given the number of people in need,” Byaruhanga added.

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