President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a stern warning to Ugandans who misuse the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, stating that they will face arrest and work without pay in government prisons.
“We shall arrest those who just eat PDM money and pay through labor while in prison.”
In the prisons, they have a lot of work to cultivate maize, cotton, and other crops, so those who get PDM money and eat it will work there without pay.
This tough stance comes after reports emerged that many beneficiaries of the PDM program were using the funds to buy foodstuffs or pay school fees instead of investing in income-generating activities.
The government, through the PDM, extends Shs. 100 million each financial year to 100 beneficiaries (households) in each parish through their SACCOs.
Perpetrators will be required to work for at least ten months (Shs. 100,000 per month) until the Shs1 million is recovered.
Regarding theft, President Museveni said they are in touch with the judiciary to ensure those involved in stealing items such as cows, goats, pigs, and the produce of PDM beneficiaries are not given bail or released on police bond.
“Very soon I will issue that executive order. We are in touch with the judiciary about this,”
The President also expressed surprise at reports of commercial officers extorting money from beneficiaries, saying they should be arrested.
“The parish SACCOs, through their leadership, are responsible for their money. They are the ones to decide who should get the money and to also ensure that all the homesteads in the parish access this money.”
In addition to addressing misuse of funds, President Museveni also discussed plans to add value to excess produce, such as eggs.
“When Ugandans started producing milk, we discovered that the internal market was insufficient. Milk production rose from 200 million liters a year to now 5.3 billion, yet Ugandans consume only 800 million. We decided to add value, and now we export powdered milk.”
To support local journalism, President Museveni pledged Shs 100 million to capitalize the Mbarara Journalists’ SACCO and a 36-seater coaster bus to aid their operations.
