President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today visited Kyankwanzi District as part of his ongoing countrywide assessment of the Parish Development Model (PDM)—Uganda’s flagship initiative designed to eradicate household poverty through commercial agriculture and financial inclusion.

A Model Beneficiary: Mr. Matovu Patrick

During his visit to Bugomolwa Parish in Nkandwa Sub-county, President Museveni met with Mr. Matovu Patrick, a successful PDM beneficiary whose experience illustrates the program’s transformative potential. Mr. Matovu received UGX 980,000 under the PDM, which he invested strategically:

• He purchased 40 chicks at UGX 15,000 each (UGX 600,000).
• Spent UGX 100,000 on poultry feed.
• Used UGX 100,000 to buy iron sheets for a chicken shelter.

Six months later, Mr. Matovu sold 10 chickens at UGX 45,000 each, earning UGX 450,000. He also raised UGX 400,000 from coffee sales, which he used to buy a bull. Currently, he earns UGX 40,000 monthly from egg sales, selling one tray weekly at UGX 10,000. Additionally, he uses cow dung and chicken droppings as organic fertilizer for his coffee and banana plantations, significantly improving crop yield and quality.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Matovu thanked President Museveni for introducing the PDM, noting the significant improvement in his family’s standard of living.

Presidential Recognition and Additional Support

Impressed by Mr. Matovu’s efforts, President Museveni extended further support to boost his progress:

• UGX 10 million to buy three dairy cows.
• UGX 9 million for a tuk-tuk to help with transportation.
• UGX 6 million to the LC1 Chairman for a motorcycle.
• UGX 1 million to each PDM beneficiary who attended the event.

Doubling PDM Funding: A Strategic Commitment

Addressing the community, President Museveni emphasized the importance of using PDM funds responsibly and announced a major policy shift: the government plans to double annual PDM funding from UGX 100 million to UGX 200 million per parish after the upcoming elections.

“If we are sending UGX 100 million to each parish per year, it means each homestead gets UGX 1 million—reaching 100 homesteads annually. In the third year, the initial beneficiaries will return the funds, and within five years, we shall have reached up to 1,500 homesteads,” he explained.

President Museveni underscored the advantages of the PDM over high-interest loans, highlighting its affordable 6% interest rate over two years and the fact that the funds remain within the community.

Tackling Challenges: Water Access and Accountability

In response to community concerns, President Museveni pledged to provide water tanks to aid farmers with irrigation during dry seasons. He also issued a stern warning against corruption and the misuse of PDM resources. He urged locals to remain vigilant and report any misconduct, reaffirming his commitment to transparency and accountability.

Community Engagement

The visit was attended by area leaders and hundreds of community members who welcomed the President’s strategic support and renewed vision for expanding the reach and impact of the PDM.