When the sun rose over Pallisa on Wednesday morning, Gogonya field was already alive with songs and yellow flags. But beneath the celebration lay a stern message from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, one that local leaders are unlikely to forget soon.
Standing before thousands of supporters, the President warned parish and sub-county chiefs that anyone caught diverting Parish Development Model (PDM) funds from the youth, women, or persons with disabilities would be dismissed immediately. His tone was firm, his words deliberate, a reminder that the government’s flagship anti-poverty program is not to be tampered with.
“Within the 100 million shillings per parish, 30% belongs to the youth, 30% to the women, and 10% to the disabled,” Museveni said. “If I hear that they are not getting their share, I will dismiss the parish chief and the sub-county chief.”
The warning came as the NRM presidential candidate launched his 2026 campaign in Bukedi Sub-region, using the Pallisa rally to address long-standing concerns about corruption and favoritism in the implementation of PDM, a program designed to transform Uganda’s 10,694 parishes into hubs of wealth creation.
Fairness at the Core of Development
PDM, introduced in 2022, allocates Shs100 million per parish to support small-scale enterprises and household productivity. Yet, reports from across the country have revealed cases of exclusion and mismanagement. In Pallisa alone, out of 60,882 households, only 27,343 have benefited so far, leaving 55% yet to receive funds.
Museveni said local leaders must ensure every eligible resident benefits fairly. “Let everybody get their share,” he told the cheering crowd. “But you, the youth, should also join the SACCOs. Nobody will stop you as long as you’re over 18.”
The President emphasized that the PDM funds are a pathway to move Ugandans from subsistence to commercial production, an idea he has pushed since 1986 when he first came to power.
Linking Wealth to Work
In a tone that blended teaching with motivation, Museveni explained the difference between development and wealth creation. “Development is for all of us, but wealth is for individuals. The wealth that you personally create is what sustains your household,” he said.
He highlighted success stories like that of Joseph Ijala, a farmer in Serere District earning Shs6.8 million daily from poultry and dairy farming, and Minister Fred Byamukama, whose model farm employs 26 people. “This is how wealth creates jobs,” Museveni noted, adding that industrial jobs alone cannot employ every Ugandan.
Expanding PDM and Industrial Drive
Museveni announced plans to extend PDM support to new categories, including local and religious leaders, fishermen, and unemployed graduates. “We shall start a fund for fishermen and unemployed graduates who have been jobless for two years,” he said.
He also urged Pallisa District leaders to expand the land allocated for an industrial park from 100 acres to at least one square mile. Citing the Mbale Industrial Park with 75 factories, he said industrialization is vital for regional growth and employment.
Turning Wetlands into Wealth
In a practical message to farmers, the President discouraged rice growing in wetlands, advocating for fish farming instead. “You people of Bukedi are blessed with swamps. Fish farming is very lucrative,” he said. “In my Lira farm, I earn 100 million shillings a year from ponds.”
He pledged government support for pond construction, calling it “the new face of rural wealth.”
Progress and Gaps in Bukedi
Museveni also reviewed Bukedi’s progress under the NRM, noting the transformation from a conflict-torn area in the 1980s to a peaceful and developing region. “For 40 years, we have ensured peace. Pallisa was once attacked by cattle rustlers, but now there is stability because of the institutions we built,” he said.
Infrastructure improvements include tarmacked roads, safer water sources, and education access. Currently, 96% of Pallisa’s villages have clean water, and 76 government primary and nine secondary schools serve the district. The President pledged to prioritize areas that still lack schools and health centres.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, Calvin Echodu, said the massive turnout reflected public trust in Museveni’s leadership. Pallisa District Chairperson Derrick Orone presented local requests, including upgrading Pallisa Hospital and establishing technical schools.
The Bigger Picture
As he concluded, Museveni reminded the crowd that government’s mission goes beyond politics, it’s about transforming livelihoods through discipline, honesty, and enterprise.
“If you misuse government funds, you’re not stealing from me. You’re stealing from your children’s future,” he warned.
With cheers echoing through Pallisa’s fields, the message was clear, the 2026 campaign is not just about votes, it’s about accountability, inclusion, and wealth for every Ugandan.