Rubirizi district hailed for strong PDM performance
RUBIRIZI, 28 February 2025 – The Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, has commended Rubirizi district as the second-best performer in the absorption and utilisation of funds under the Parish Development Model [PDM] which was launched in February 2022, to help the active poor in Uganda fight poverty.
Magyezi made these remarks as President Yoweri Museveni began his monitoring of the PDM activities in the Ankole Sub-region, which comprises 12 districts, 4 municipalities, and one city. The purpose of the tour is to assess the impact and reach of the programme in a region known for its agricultural production.
Museveni’s tour, themed “Securing Your Future through Wealth Creation and Shared Prosperity”, commenced in Kizurugo village in Rubirizi district, at the home of Dezilanta Tumusiime, a PDM beneficiary who used the funds to expand her farm.
“Surprisingly, she borrowed Shs 1 million in 2023, from the Parish Revolving Fund [PRF], which she invested in piggery and goat rearing. Her farm has now surpassed a net worth of Shs 5 million,” Magyezi noted.
Chrisensio Twebaze, the Rubirizi District Production Officer, reported that the district received a total of Shs 13.6 billion, of which over Shs 11.7 billion has already been disbursed and absorbed by 11,162 beneficiaries. He stated that the funds have been effectively utilised by the beneficiaries.
“In December 2024, we were ranked second in terms of using the PDM funds. It’s about the will and the attitude of the implementers, and our leaders have been supportive. From verifying beneficiaries to ensuring the timely disbursement of funds, the issue of corruption and extortion was minimal, and people received the money promptly with few complaints and queries from the Auditor General,” Twebaze explained.
He went on to report that many people in Rubirizi district are still entrenched in subsistence farming due to a lack of mindset change.
“Out of 36,330 households, about 33,000 people are still stuck in subsistence farming, which represents around 90 percent of the population. This shows that PDM funds are still needed,” he said.
“This financial year, we only received Shs 50 million, but parish chiefs will tell you that there are between 200-300 applicants desperately needing the PDM funds, and selecting just 50 beneficiaries is a challenge,” Twebaze added.
He called on the government to provide additional support, particularly through training on the use of improved farming methods that would enable farmers to produce commercially and lift themselves out of poverty.
Douglas Rwamutojo, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC), explained that the PDM is one of the key programmes that has transformed Rubirizi district.
“As district leaders, we have ensured that 95% of the PDM funds have been successfully disbursed to beneficiaries, helping them transition from subsistence to commercial production,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the government for its investments in road infrastructure, electricity, and water access, which have improved living standards in the district.
“Key roads have been constructed and upgraded, easing the transportation of goods and services. Additionally, the expansion of the electricity grid has empowered businesses and households in the area,” he said.
Rubirizi district is known for its rich agricultural potential and has greatly benefited from various government programmes, such as Operation Wealth Creation [OWC] and the National Agricultural Advisory Services [NAADS], aimed at boosting agricultural production.
From Rubirizi, President Museveni also visited farmers in Sheema and Ibanda and commissioned the Ankole Presidential Hub in Mbarara district.
Museveni will conclude his PDM monitoring tour of the Ankole Sub-region this Friday with a public rally at Mwizi Primary School in Rwampara district.
https://thecooperator.news/performance-of-pdm-and-emyooga-kigezi-explained/
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