In the heart of Kasese Municipality, the gentle clucking of 750 chickens tells a story of determination, transformation, and triumph. For Biira Pelucy, a visually impaired woman and once a street beggar, the sound is a daily reminder of how far she has come—thanks to the Parish Development Model (PDM).
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Monday hailed Biira’s success during his tour of the Rwenzori subregion, describing her journey as a powerful example of what government programs can achieve when embraced by citizens.
“This has been my message since the 1960s in Nyabushozi,” the President said. “I advised people in Ankole to settle down and rear dairy cows. Later, we included this in the 1996 NRM Manifesto through the Four-Acre Model: one acre for coffee, another for fruits, the third for pasture, the fourth for food, and backyard poultry. Those near swamps should also do fish farming.”
Biira now runs a profitable poultry enterprise at her home and earns millions of shillings from selling eggs and birds. Her turnaround, Museveni said, reflects the core aim of initiatives like PDM and Emyooga: to lift Ugandans from poverty through practical, sustainable income-generating activities.
“If you don’t follow up on this money and use it, you’re not only failing yourselves but also the government that wants to get you out of poverty,” the President told residents.
Biira, who serves as Chairperson of Persons With Disabilities in Kasese Municipality, shared her gratitude and testimony.
“I used to be a beggar. Now, I can manage my needs, take care of my treatment, and run a business that gives me dignity,” she said.
To support her growing enterprise, President Museveni donated Shs20 million to help her fence the poultry unit and buy a means of transport.
The President also pledged to address rural water challenges after Biira revealed that her water meter was removed due to non-payment. She now relies on neighbors and nearby standpipes.
At the same event, the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabyanga, praised Biira’s resilience and commended the President for introducing PDM.
“Biira’s story shows that disability is not inability. This initiative is changing lives,” he noted.
From begging on the streets to building a thriving poultry business, Biira Pelucy’s journey is not just inspiring—it’s proof that with the right support, no Ugandan should be left behind.