President Museveni Orders Strict Accountability in PDM Implementation Across Bukedi

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a stern warning to parish and sub-county chiefs in the Bukedi Sub-region, cautioning that any local leader who sidelines youth, women, or persons with disabilities (PWDs) from benefiting under the Parish Development Model (PDM) will face dismissal.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Pallisa District on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the President, also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for the 2026 general elections, said his government will not tolerate misuse or misallocation of funds meant for specific groups under the PDM. He emphasized that local leaders must ensure transparent and fair distribution of funds.

“Within the 100 million shillings per parish, 30% belongs to the youth, 30% to the women, and 10% to the disabled. So, I don’t want to hear that story again,” President Museveni said.
“If I hear that the youth, the women, or the disabled are not getting their share, I will go for the parish chief first, and I will dismiss them, plus the sub-county chiefs.”

The warning follows growing public scrutiny over the implementation of the PDM, a flagship wealth creation and poverty reduction initiative launched in 2022, amid reports of mismanagement, favouritism, and delayed disbursements in some areas.

President Museveni stressed that local leaders bear the greatest responsibility for ensuring accountability, noting that the success of PDM depends on honest administration at the parish level.

“Let everybody get their share. But also, you, the youth, should join the SACCOs. Go to the Muluka chief and ask them to join the parish SACCOs. Nobody will stop you as long as you’re over 18 years old,” he urged.

Each parish under the PDM receives Shs 100 million in seed capital to support household enterprises, savings cooperatives, and agricultural productivity, aimed at transitioning rural communities from subsistence to commercial production.

According to official data presented at the rally, Pallisa District, with 90 parishes, has so far received Shs 27.7 billion under the programme, disbursed to 27,343 households (about 45% of the total), leaving 55% yet to benefit.

Turning to his broader campaign message, President Museveni revisited Uganda’s economic transformation journey since 1986. He said many citizens still confuse development with wealth creation, a distinction he has repeatedly sought to clarify.

“Development is for all of us, but wealth is for individuals. The wealth you personally create is what sustains your household,” he said, citing past initiatives such as Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, and now PDM as part of a long-term effort to empower citizens economically.

He showcased video testimonies of successful farmers benefiting from government programmes, including Joseph Ijala of Serere District, who reportedly earns over Shs 6.8 million daily from poultry and dairy farming, and Hon. Fred Byamukama, the Minister of State for Transport, whose four-acre farm generates about Shs 700 million annually while employing 26 people.

“This is how wealth creates jobs. Government jobs are only about 480,000, yet we have millions of Ugandans. If every household focuses on productive enterprises, we can create jobs through wealth,” the President said.

He also announced plans to expand PDM support to new categories, including local and religious leaders, fishermen, and unemployed university graduates.

“We shall add 15 million shillings for local leaders and create special funds for church and mosque leaders, cultural institutions, and fishermen,” he said. “For graduates who have been jobless for two years, we shall also create a fund.”

On industrial growth, President Museveni said Pallisa District had offered 100 acres of land for an industrial park, but he asked local leaders to secure more.

“You have given me very little land. I want a square mile or more. When you get more land, come back to me,” he said.

He cited the Sino-Uganda Industrial Park in Mbale, which hosts 75 factories, as an example of how industrialization can create mass employment.

The President encouraged residents to utilize swampy areas for fish farming, noting it offers higher returns than rice cultivation.

“Fish farming is very lucrative. In my Lira farm, the fishponds yield 100 million shillings per year. In Limoto here, farmers are getting 56 million per acre, more than rice,” he said.

He promised government support for pond construction, calling fish farming a key income source for Bukedi residents.

President Museveni used the rally to highlight the NRM government’s achievements in the Bukedi Sub-region, saying it has enjoyed peace and progress after years of insecurity and cattle rustling.

“For 40 years, we have ensured peace. Pallisa was once attacked by cattle rustlers and was a battleground for Lakwena. But now there is stability because of the institutions we built, the army, police, and a united party,” he said.

He outlined the NRM’s “seven key contributions” to Uganda, beginning with peace, followed by improvements in transport, electricity, telecommunications, and water access.

“When NRM came to power, the only tarmac road in eastern Uganda passed through Tororo. We made the Iganga–Nakalama–Tirinyi–Mbale road, and later the Tirinyi–Pallisa–Kumi road,” Museveni said.

However, he criticized local authorities for neglecting rural road maintenance despite receiving funds and equipment.

“They just graded this road because they knew I was coming. I have warned Minister Katumba. We gave each district one billion for roads, so the RDC and LC5 must ensure accountability,” he cautioned.

According to official data, 96% of Pallisa’s 498 villages now have access to safe water sources. Completed projects include the Pallisa Town Council Piped Water Supply and Sanitation Project (serving 54,000 people) and the Limoto Irrigation Scheme benefiting 100 farmers.

The President also highlighted ongoing education and skilling efforts. Pallisa District currently has 76 government and 160 private primary schools, and 9 government and 23 private secondary schools.

“Our policy is one government primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county. Those that lack will be prioritized,” he said.

He noted that Uganda’s education landscape has drastically improved since the 1960s, and praised youth skilling hubs, particularly the one in Kibuku District, which has trained 927 youths in various trades.

On healthcare, Museveni pledged to upgrade and expand facilities in Pallisa, including upgrading Obutete, Kaukura, and Limoto Health Centre IIs to Health Centre IIIs and building new ones in Kamuge Rural, Agule Rural, and Oboliso Sub-counties.

“We plan to have a Health Centre II in every parish, a Health Centre III in every sub-county, and a district hospital,” he said.

Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, praised the NRM government for transforming Bukedi’s infrastructure, particularly the Tirinyi–Pallisa–Kumi road.

“We now have the best road in eastern Uganda,” she said, also commending the President for “defending Uganda’s traditional values” and “bringing money to the people.”

NRM Eastern Region Vice Chairperson Calvin Echodu said the large turnout reflected the people’s confidence in Museveni’s leadership, while Hon. Derrick Orone, MP for Gogonya County and NRM District Chairperson for Pallisa, presented key community requests, including upgrading Pallisa General Hospital to referral status and establishing more technical schools.

“We shall give you above 90% in the upcoming election,” Hon. Orone declared, drawing cheers from the crowd.

The rally attracted thousands of residents, government officials, and party supporters, including Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong and several Members of Parliament from Bukedi and neighbouring regions.