HOIMA, September 12, 2023 – The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja has cautioned parish chiefs and other officers implementing the Parish Development Model [PDM] against mismanaging funds meant for the beneficiaries of the programme.
The PDM was launched in February 2022 by President Yoweri Museveni with the aim to move 3.5 million households still in the subsistence economy to the money economy through commercial production, mainly in the agricultural value chain.
Nabanja made the remarks in Kyabigambire Sub-county where she had gone to drum support for the National Resistance Movement [NRM] flag bearer, Uthiman Mubarak Mugisa who is contesting in the by-election to become the next Hoima district LCV chairman after the death of former chairman, Kadiri Kirungi on March 17, 2023.
Leaders from different areas such as Nyamirima and Kisabagwa villages told Nabbanja that they registered to benefit from the PDM now one year ago but they haven’t received any money. Under the PDM every parish is supposed to receive Shs 100mln revolving fund per year for five years.
The money whose disbursement began in the financial year 2022/ 2023 is meant to help poor households engage in enterprises such as coffee, dairy farming, piggery, poultry keeping, fish farming, beekeeping, growing of beans, maize, and soybeans among others.
Benson Bambazi the village chairman of Kisabagwa appealed to Nabbanja to intervene so that locals get the money to boost their enterprises, noting several farmers prepared their gardens hoping to get the money to buy the seeds but this has not happened.
Jane Murungi from Nyamirima village also complained that the poor road network in the area presents the challenge of accessing social services such as markets, health facilities, and schools among others.
In her response, Nabbanja confirmed that she had received information that some of the implementers of the PDM in the district registered those that are ineligible to benefit from the programme, leaving out those that the programme targets.
She vowed to follow up on the issues raised by the community members and promised that all those sabotaging government programmes like the PDM would be forced to refund the money.
She challenged the people of Hoima to support NRM by voting for their flag bearer Mugisa adding Mugisa will work well with the government to improve service delivery.
She also promised that the government would release Shs 250mln this financial year to work on the feeder roads in the district.
Candidate Mugisa said he would promote unity among others if the people of Hoima elected him into office come September 14, 2023, when polling takes place.
He pledged to be the voice of the voiceless as well as be accessible and advocate for the improvement of health, education, agriculture, and roads in the district.
Mugisa is contesting against Savanna Vincent Muhumuza [Independent], Uthiman Mubarak, Moses Aguda [National Unity Platform], Patrick Musiguzi [Forum for Democratic Change] and Lennox Mugume [Independent].
The five candidates currently moving around Hoima district canvassing for support from the voters.
https://thecooperator.news/hoima-city-implementation-of-pdm-messed-up/
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