At Kololo Independence Grounds, as the sun beat down on a sea of thousands, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed Kampala residents and declared the war on poverty a personal mission. He was closing the final leg of his nationwide Parish Development Model (PDM) assessment tour—an initiative he says is “not about handouts, but household transformation.”
Flanked by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, and the First Daughter, Natasha Karugire Museveni, the President urged Ugandans to shift focus from communal infrastructure to individual wealth creation.
“I have been telling you about peace. The second thing is development—roads, electricity, schools, hospitals. But when you return home in the evening, you still find the poverty you left there in the morning. That’s why I came to talk to you about wealth,” said President Museveni.
Launched in February 2022, PDM targets the 39% of Ugandans still outside the money economy, giving each parish UGX 100 million annually through SACCOs to jumpstart grassroots enterprise.
Museveni emphasized that while development benefits everyone, wealth must be built at the household level. Drawing inspiration from scripture, he said, “Seek ye the Kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto you.”
He spotlighted three wealth pathways: commercial agriculture, artisanship/manufacturing, and services. In rural areas, agriculture remains king. He showcased the story of Joseph Ijaara, a former taxi conductor in Serere who now earns over UGX 1 billion annually through poultry, yoghurt, and soap production.
In Kampala, the President praised urban artisans in Kawempe and Makindye for producing furniture and metalwork once imported from abroad. “These youth are doing wonders,” he said.
Services—selling goods and running shops—also ranked high on his list, followed by ICT, which he encouraged but urged youth to first focus on the three foundational pillars.
“Government jobs are only 480,000. Factories alone have created 1.2 million jobs,” Museveni said, highlighting Minister Fred Byamukama who earns UGX 700 million annually from mixed farming and employs 26 people.
However, the President expressed concern over mismanagement of PDM funds in Kawempe. “Kawempe is not in Congo or Rwanda. It is here. I have directed Hajjat Madinah Nsereko and Faridah Nambi to investigate,” he said.
To better support urban populations, the President announced several commitments:
- Urban PDM funds increased to UGX 130 million per parish
- UGX 1 billion per division for ghetto youth empowerment
- Targeted support for sectors like Boda Bodas, car washers, vendors, and garage mechanics
He decried the theft of Emyooga funds in Kampala and pledged thorough investigations.
Addressing the high cost of water, he proposed prepaid stand taps at just UGX 25 per jerrycan—down from UGX 200. He also pledged to tackle exorbitant school fees in government-aided schools and promised to restore Kiruddu and Kawempe hospitals to district status, saying they were never meant to become referral facilities.
Museveni also responded to concerns from Muslim leaders about interest in government funds: “We are giving you UGX 1 million. After two years, you return UGX 112,000 to the revolving fund. That’s not profit, it’s sustainability.”
The President reiterated the importance of markets for economic sustainability. “Now, if we produce all those eggs, milk, maize, bananas—where do we sell them? The internal market is not enough.”
He called for greater support for the East African and African Continental markets and denounced divisive tribal and religious politics.
“People who come and talk to you about tribes and religions are our enemies. They are enemies of progress,” Museveni warned.
He concluded by rallying support for National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders who understand and support his wealth creation agenda. “Let each home enter the money economy. This is our revolution of peace, development, and wealth creation.”
Vice President Jessica Alupo hailed the President’s leadership: “These tours have inspired PDM beneficiaries to work harder. The hope you continue to inspire, and the unity you have fostered, is unprecedented.”
Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, also praised successful SACCOs and their impact, thanking the technical teams who support their implementation.
The event was attended by former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Cabinet Ministers, MPs, religious and cultural leaders, and citizens from across the country.
