KWANIA, October 24, 2024 — Religious leaders in the Diocese of West Lango have urged the government to implement a special empowerment programme for them, asserting that they have been excluded from the Parish Development Model [PDM].
Launched in Kibuku district in February 2022 by President Museveni, the PDM aims to transition 39 percent of households from subsistence farming to the money economy. To date, the government has disbursed over Shs 2 trillion across all parishes under this initiative.
However, clergy from the Diocese of West Lango, part of the Province of the Church of Uganda, claim they have been overlooked in the program, which provides Shs 1 million to beneficiaries for projects such as coffee growing, dairy farming, piggery, poultry keeping, and grain production.
Rev. Tonny Odyero, Parish Priest of Akot Parish, stated that PDM SACCO leaders have denied them access to funds, citing concerns that clergy are transferable and may not repay the revolving fund. “PDM SACCO leaders argue that since we are transferable, we would not pay back the money. We want the government to recognize that we are all Ugandans striving to overcome poverty. If possible, we request a special grant for our needs,” he said.
Odyero made these remarks on Tuesday during the burial of Joel Ongom, a farmer who died from a snake bite in Eling village, Alira Parish, Aduku Subcounty.
Andrew Omuno, Kwania District Education Officer, pledged to relay the clergy’s concerns to relevant authorities for resolution. “The concerns raised by the religious leaders regarding PDM are valid. I will forward them to the commercial department and other relevant bodies,” he stated.
Aduku Subcounty LCIII Chairman Vincent Ogwal noted that the Subcounty is working on ways to address these issues. “This isn’t the first time I’ve heard clergy express their frustrations about being excluded from PDM. I advise them to seek funding from their respective parishes to mitigate doubts,” he remarked. He added, “We need to alleviate the hardships faced by these men of God to prevent them from relying excessively on their congregations.”
Kenneth Oguta, the LCI Chairman of Alira Parish, warned PDM beneficiaries against bribing SACCO leaders. “I have noticed that many of you attempt to bribe SACCO leaders to expedite funding. Anyone caught giving bribes will face arrest; PDM cash is free for everyone,” he cautioned.
Records from Kwania District Commercial Department show that 10,203 individuals have received PDM cash, with the district’s 49 PDM SACCOs distributing over Shs 10 billion to 1,364 PDM enterprise groups.
https://thecooperator.news/kwania-over-shs-10bln-disbursed-to-pdm-beneficiaries/
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