MASINDI, August 6, 2024 – Local Council One chairpersons in Masindi district say they should also benefit from the Parish Development Model [ PDM ], a government initiative launched in February 2022, to fight poverty among the active poor.
Mayanja Tomato, the LCI Chairperson Kijungu Cell in Central Division in Masindi Municipality requested on behalf of several others during a meeting organised by Balaam Barugahara, the State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs to sensitise residents on government programmes.
“We are not considered under PDM because we are considered government workers yet we earn only Shs 10,000 per month. We get Shs 120,000 per year but you consider us as government workers. Can this money help you get out of poverty? We are not happy because it is as if we are being sidelined,” he said.
Under the PDM, beneficiaries get Shs 1 million each in the form of a soft loan to invest in the enterprises of their choice such as dairy farming, fish farming, crop production, piggery, poultry keeping, and coffee among others.
However, Barugahara advised the LCI and 2 chairpersons in Masindi Municipality to form a SACCO, saying they would get financial support to improve their livelihoods.
“Make sure that you form a SACCO and I am giving you Shs 10 million as start up. Ensure that you encourage other members to join it,” said Barugahara.
The Emyooga Programme, another government initiative, identifies political leaders as its beneficiaries and are required to form SACCOs to benefit from the programme., with government contributing seed capital of Shs 50mln.
Minister Barugagara pledged to lobby for a tractor for the village and parish chairpersons, saying it would help them engage in commercial agriculture.
The minister said that the aim of the meeting which attracted over 400 people was to sensitise the masses on different programmes including PDM, Youth Livelihood Programme [YLP], Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme [UWEP], and Emyooga Programme, among others.
He also encouraged people in Masindi district to work in SACCOs, groups, and associations in order to be able to produce massively and have strong bargaining power.
The meeting was also attended by Public Service minister Muruli Mukasa, his junior Mary Mugasa, and State Minister for Primary Healthcare, Margaret Muhanga, Director CID, Tom Magambo and other officials from the ministries of Gender, and Public Service.
Barugahara advised the PDM implementers against extortion, warning that whoever dares will face the wrath of the law.
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