RUKUNGIRI, February 14, 2025 –– President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to leaders at all levels in the Kigezi Sub-region to prioritise wealth creation which is key to reducing poverty and driving socio-economic growth.
“My main message to all of you is prioritising the National Resistance Movement [NRM] message on wealth creation. Uganda has so many development needs; it is alright to talk about them, but prioritizing is crucial. Like the Bible tells us: seek me first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” he said.
Museveni who was on a performance assessment tour on wealth creation and the Parish Development Model [PDM] in Kigezi, made the remarks yesterday while meeting leaders in the subregion at Rukungiri Stadium, Rukungiri Municipality.
The PDM is a government initiative aimed at transforming Uganda’s economy by extending financial assistance directly to the people outside the money economy, at the parish level to help lift households out of poverty. Each parish SACCO receives Shs 100 million every financial year for members to borrow and implement viable income-generating enterprises.
“Leadership is like medical work; just as doctors diagnose patients and prescribe the correct medicine, political leaders must identify societal needs first and address them. This is what the NRM has been telling you since the 1960s,” Museveni said, adding that it is not only about tarmac roads, electricity, and other infrastructure that will chase poverty out of Uganda but prioritising initiatives such as the PDM to ensure all households engage in income generating activities such as commercial agriculture.
“That road from Kampala to Mbarara up to Kabale was tarmacked in 1963 after independence and we have been repairing it like three times but even if you go there now, you find the tarmac road with poor people by the roadside. For 60 years they have had a tarmac road, but they are poor. Therefore, you the leaders, let us agree on this,” Museveni noted.
He further informed the leaders that areas like Nyabusozi, which listened to his message, did not have tarmac roads but realised that the dairy sector could get them out of poverty and have since become prosperous.
In the Manifesto, they recommended seven activities, which include one acre for coffee, another acre for fruits (mangoes, oranges, and pineapples), another one for food crops for the family (cassava, bananas, Irish potatoes, or millet), and the last one for pasture for dairy cattle (about 8 of them). On top of this, one can add on poultry for eggs in the backyard, piggery and fish farming.
“Those who listened to our message have gotten out of poverty. That is what has brought me here. As leaders, leaving our people to languish in poverty yet solutions are there, is a very big mistake,” the President stated while giving an example of the several farmers he has visited countrywide with glowing testimonies of how their life has changed as a result of the PDM funds.
Museveni further warned about reports of extortion and corruption in the PDM programme, promising to reign in and arrest all perpetrators.
“I have heard that there are thieves in PDM. All those who stole money from the poor should return it. I’m on the ground and I’m going to arrest them all. I also stopped all the bank charges. The beneficiary must receive their full Shs. 1 million,” Museveni warned.
He also reiterated that he had already informed the cabinet of the need to establish a processing factory for the ever-increasing volumes of eggs yet with limited market.
He also promised to return to the subregion for a special meeting focusing on tea growing.
In the same meeting, Museveni was informed about the silent growing habit of divisions based on religion in Kigezi.
“This must stop immediately. Those creating divisions are greedy enemies of Uganda. Maama Janet and I have bananas in Ntungamo but we sell them to all irrespective of religion. When I was studying at Mbarara High School, the people who bought our cows for me to study were from Kampala and some were Muslims. So, those promoting sectarianism are enemies,” the President stated.
Regarding the issue of environmental protection, Museveni urged the people of Kigezi to use the wetlands correctly because of their crucial role in providing water for agricultural production and home use.
The meeting was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, NRM leaders, local government leaders, among others.
https://thecooperator.news/museveni-impressed-by-pdm-impact-of-pdm-in-lira/
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