President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has proposed the establishment of a borehole in every village across Uganda to address persistent water shortages affecting Parish Development Model (PDM) farming activities, especially poultry and livestock.
Speaking at State Lodge Nakasero while meeting journalists from Greater Mukono, the President said many PDM beneficiaries have raised concerns over inadequate access to water during his nationwide wealth creation tours.
“This will ensure the people have water for their PDM enterprises, such as poultry, livestock, and the rest,” President Museveni said, emphasizing the need to sustain agriculture-driven livelihoods at the grassroots.
The President reaffirmed that the PDM is designed for small-scale farmers—particularly those with four acres or less—to undertake intensive agricultural activities that generate quick and sustainable income. He reiterated the recommended ventures under the four-acre model, which include coffee, fruits, pasture for zero-grazing animals, and food crops for household consumption.
He also encouraged beneficiaries to adopt backyard poultry, piggery (for non-Muslims), and fish farming around wetland edges. “We have now added palm oil trees, cocoa, and avocado, but we are continuing to assess them,” the President noted.
On the rising cases of animal theft, President Museveni warned that culprits will be tracked and arrested using national surveillance tools, including security cameras and digital number plates on vehicles and motorcycles. He advised communities to secure crime scenes and form village security teams for night patrols to deter both theft and mob justice.
The President also addressed reports that some PDM beneficiaries received less than the UGX 1 million meant for them. “If it’s found out as an act of theft by PDM officials and commercial officers, then they will be arrested,” he said, promising top-up payments to affected individuals and accountability for dishonest officials.
He stressed that PDM remains a core pillar of the government’s poverty eradication agenda. Launched in 2022, the program seeks to transition subsistence households into the money economy through localized economic activities and structured financing.
In response to calls for increased public awareness about PDM, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, said media houses are mandated by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to provide free weekly airtime for government programs, especially on wealth creation.
President Museveni warned that media outlets failing to comply with this requirement risk losing their licenses. “Media houses that do not implement this will not be allowed to operate,” he cautioned.
The President’s renewed focus on village-level infrastructure and enforcement highlights the government’s drive to enhance the effectiveness of the PDM and ensure Ugandans benefit from its intended outcomes.
