The Ugandan government has been urged to fulfill its promises to citizens, particularly by ensuring the effective implementation of development programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), NAADS, Emyooga, and others. Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, the Governor and Chairperson of Mukono District, emphasized that many Ugandans have not benefited from these programs due to corruption and political favoritism. He criticized individuals who manipulate the process for personal gain or use it as a tool to punish political opponents, despite PDM being a program meant to benefit all Ugandans.

Hon. Rev. Dr. Bakaluba made this appeal during his visit to Nakisunga Sub County and Ntenjeru-Kisoga Town Council in Mukono South, where he was closing a Joint Monitoring exercise on PDM across the district. He was accompanied by officials from the Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO) office, heads of relevant departments responsible for PDM, and the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC).

During the visit, Nakisunga Sub County Chairperson, Ssekikuubo Mubaraka, reported that many residents had not received funds from the PDM program. He revealed that some local leaders had taken back the funds, while others lacked adequate knowledge of how the program operates. Ssekikuubo urged district authorities to intervene by educating residents on the purpose of PDM and clarifying the criteria for accessing funds. He also called for better coordination at the village level to prevent mismanagement by some local leaders.

Bakaluba reiterated the importance of the government fulfilling its development promises through initiatives such as PDM, NAADS, and Emyooga. He pointed out that many Ugandans were being deprived of these opportunities due to corruption and political interference, which he said should not be tolerated in a program designed for all citizens.

He also issued a warning to PDM Sacco leaders, especially those intending to participate in political campaigns for the 2026 elections, urging them to step down from their positions. He explained that mixing politics with government development programs could lead to favoritism, where funds are allocated only to supporters of certain leaders instead of being distributed fairly.

Kamara Daniel, the Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), representing Mukono District’s CAO, Ms. Elizabeth Namanda, cautioned PDM Sacco leaders against withholding funds from intended beneficiaries. He warned them against prioritizing their relatives or family members for financial assistance, stressing that taxpayer money should not be mismanaged. He urged leaders to disburse funds promptly instead of keeping them in bank accounts without being utilized for development.

Similarly, Hon. Councilor Ssentongo Robert Mwesigwa, Secretary for Works, Water, Environment, and Natural Resources, who represents Nakisunga Sub County at the Mukono District Council, emphasized that PDM is meant to benefit all Ugandans, regardless of their political affiliation (whether NRM or NUP). He commended PDM leaders for their dedication to serving the people, acknowledging that leadership is a challenging task.

However, Town Clerk of Ntenjeru-Kisoga, Kalagi Bukenya Emmanuel, raised concerns about some beneficiaries misusing PDM funds. He noted that some individuals received funding for specific projects but later diverted the money to unapproved ventures. Others changed project locations after receiving funds, causing confusion in the program’s implementation.

Despite these challenges, Robinson Kiyaga Hudson expressed gratitude to the government for its efforts to uplift people’s livelihoods through PDM. He acknowledged that funds had reached intended beneficiaries despite hurdles such as livestock theft. However, he also noted that in some cases, the wrong individuals were selected to receive funds, and he urged beneficiaries to utilize the resources responsibly.

Dr. Mukulu Fred, the District Production Officer and PDM Focal Person, stated that district authorities are committed to continuous sensitization of both leaders and PDM members through regular meetings. He appealed to the government to increase funding for the program, noting that many people still require financial support. He also encouraged beneficiaries to start repaying their loans and praised the government’s ongoing efforts to eradicate poverty.

One of the key challenges raised by local leaders was the lack of proper offices to coordinate PDM activities effectively. Additionally, many officials require further training to understand the program’s requirements, as some have been deducting money from beneficiaries without clear guidelines.

The meeting concluded with leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening PDM’s implementation, ensuring transparency, and working together to improve service delivery for all Ugandans.

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