YUMBE, July 30, 2026 — The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs in charge of Veteran Affairs, Huda Oleru Abason, has directed Parish Development Model [PDM] implementers in Yumbe district to strengthen transparency, accountability and coordination to improve the performance of the Government’s flagship poverty eradication programme.
Speaking during a meeting with PDM implementers at the Yumbe district headquarters recently, Oleru urged parish chiefs, community development officers, SACCO leaders and other stakeholders in the district to intensify supervision and ensure the programme benefits its intended recipients.
She said the PDM remains a key Government OF Uganda intervention aimed at moving households from subsistence farming into the money economy, stressing that its success depends on the commitment and integrity of officials implementing the programme.
“The success of the Parish Development Model depends on your commitment, integrity and ability to work closely with the communities you serve. Every eligible household deserves an opportunity to benefit from this programme,” Oleru said.
“This is ‘kisanji no more sleep’. Take the programme seriously; it is not business as usual. Encourage beneficiaries with overdue loans to repay so that others can also benefit,” she added.
Since the programme was launched in February 2022, the Government has sought to provide Shs 3.5 million to eligible households through parish-based SACCOs to stimulate wealth creation.
According to district officials, approximately Shs 70 billion has so far been disbursed in Yumbe District. However, Shs 21bln is overdue for repayment, while only Shs 75 million has been recovered through ongoing follow-up efforts.
Oleru called for intensified community sensitisation to improve public understanding of the programme’s objectives, eligibility requirements and benefits.
She said increased awareness would promote transparency, strengthen public participation and ensure proper utilisation of the funds, adding that the programme’s performance had not yet met expectations.
She also warned implementers against corruption, favouritism and negligence, saying such practices undermine Government efforts to eradicate poverty.
Oleru urged regular monitoring of beneficiary projects to ensure funds are invested in productive enterprises capable of improving household incomes.
The meeting provided a platform for implementers to review progress, discuss challenges affecting programme delivery and propose practical measures to improve implementation across the district.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration and accountability to ensure the programme delivers meaningful socio-economic transformation.
Yumbe District Chairperson Asiku Abdumutalib commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for introducing the Parish Development Model and thanked Oleru for engaging directly with implementers.
He described the meeting as timely, citing inadequate public awareness, delayed reporting and the need for continuous capacity building as some of the challenges affecting implementation.
He pledged that district leaders would intensify efforts to ensure the programme reaches the poorest households in the district.
The Chief Administrative Officer Thomson Obong urged earlier beneficiaries of the PDM to repay their loans so that more eligible households in Yumbe can access the revolving fund.
He also commended parish chiefs for their efforts, noting that PDM funds are increasingly reaching the intended beneficiaries.
The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament from Yumbe district; Karim Musa [Aringa North] and Ezama Siraji Brahan [Aringa County], together with local council leaders and other district officials.
Launched in February 2022, the PDM provides each beneficiary a soft loan of Shs 1 million for investment in enterprises of their choice, such as coffee, piggery, dairy, banana, and fish farming among others.
https://thecooperator.news/improved-goat-breeds-transform-livestock-farming-in-yumbe/
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