PDM transforms lives of PWDs in Lira City

LIRA, June 16, 2025 – – Persons with disabilities [ PWDs ] in Lira City are experiencing a significant transformation in their livelihoods, thanks to soft loans provided by the Government of Uganda under the Parish Development Model [PDM] programme.

Many PWDs in Lira City have embraced the PDM initiative by investing in piggery, goat and dairy farming, poultry, and other income-generating ventures in line with PDM guidelines. Notably, 20 percent of the programme funds are reserved specifically for the PWDs.

PWD beneficiaries of the programme in the city include individuals living with albinism, physical disabilities, amputations, blindness, deafness, and various mental and intellectual impairments.

Speaking to this reporter recently, Matthew Omara, Chairperson of the Lira District Union for Persons with Disabilities [LIDUPED], commended government for what he described as a visible and effective poverty eradication initiative.

“The PDM has empowered persons with disabilities to become more self-reliant. Many are now able to meet their basic needs and support their families through businesses they have established,” Omara said. “They can now afford school fees for their children, wear decent clothes, and farm collectively without resorting to begging, which is truly transformative.”

One such beneficiary is 46-year-old Johnny Ogwang from Okwor-okwor Parish, Burlobo Ward in Lira City East Division. Ogwang received Shs 993,000 from the programme and used it to purchase six goats at Shs 150,000 each. A former mechanic, welder, and fabricator with Great Lakes Carriers, Ogwang is using the remaining funds to feed and treat his animals and plans to sell them in the near future.

“I bought six goats in August 2023, and they have since multiplied. In case of any emergency, I can sell one and address the situation,” Ogwang shared. However, he noted challenges during the dry season, particularly in sourcing feed and affording veterinary care.

“Diseases tend to strike unexpectedly, and buying medicine for the animals can be expensive,” he added, urging local PDM implementers to regularly visit and advise beneficiaries, particularly PWDs, on best practices in enterprise management.

Patrick Lukas, a resident of Acukuru A Cell and Vice Chairperson of the Boroboro West Ward PDM SACCO in Lira City West Division, echoed similar sentiments. He reported positive progress among beneficiaries in his area.

“I made a profit of Shs 480,000 after selling chickens I had purchased for Shs 300,000. The PDM has encouraged hard work and self-reliance among PWDs in our community,” Lukas said of the programme through which government hopes to move 3,5 million households from subsistence agriculture to the money economy.

However, not all ventures have been without setbacks. Richard Omara, a resident of Telela Cell in Lira City East Division, lost two piglets to disease but reinvested in two more using proceeds from ox ploughing services.

“I bought an ox for Shs 800,000 and two piglets at Shs 100,000 each. The ox brings in income through ploughing and supports my maize farming. I am now able to pay school fees and meet other household needs,” he explained. Omara also earns additional income from weaving and selling papyrus mats.

Margrate Akullo, a resident of Kirombe East, Kirombe Ward in Lira City West Division, shared how PDM funds helped her renovate her collapsing house and pay medical bills, despite losing livestock to theft.

“I had four goats and four ducks, but most were stolen. Still, I used some of the money to repair my house and now plan to build two rooms once I save enough from the remaining projects,” she said.

Lillian Grace Ocare, Lira City’s Principal Assistant Clerk and PDM Focal Point Person, confirmed that the programme is progressing well and continues to support all community groups.

“PDM implementation in Lira City is on track. We are still disbursing funds, and the process aligns with programme guidelines. All interest groups, including PWDs, have benefitted,” she said.

Lira City, comprising 49 wards, has so far disbursed a total of Shs 13 billion to both PWDs and non-disabled beneficiaries.

Launched in February 2022, the Parish Development Model is a government strategy to deliver public and private sector interventions for wealth creation and job generation at the parish level, the lowest economic planning unit.

The programme prioritises the development of 18 commodities, including coffee, cotton, cocoa, cassava, tea, vegetable oils, maize, rice, sugarcane, fish, dairy, beef, bananas, beans, avocado, shea nut, cashew nuts, and macadamia.

https://thecooperator.news/museveni-impressed-by-pdm-impact-of-pdm-in-lira/

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