President Museveni’s PDM Initiative Bears Fruit in Lira
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s recent visit to Lira District has highlighted the transformative impact of the Parish Development Model (PDM) initiative on the lives of Ugandans.
During his visit, President Museveni was hosted by Mrs. Vicky Apio, a beneficiary of the PDM program, at her home in Alingiri village, Amach town council.
The President was impressed by Mrs. Apio’s success story, praising her for her resilience and effective utilization of the PDM funds to expand her farming project.
“I want to thank Vicky Apio for waking up from sleep. Apio is moving very well, she started by growing maize, rearing sheep and bought a plot then continues to grow maize,” President Museveni said.
He also emphasized the need for production officers to support and consolidate the progress made by PDM beneficiaries like Mrs. Apio.
“You heard what Apio was telling you that one challenge she is faced with is that of water. How do you solve the problem of water?” President Museveni inquired.
In addition to praising Mrs. Apio’s achievements, President Museveni also offered financial support to expand her projects, including a tricycle for transportation and a pledge to provide a borehole to address the challenge of water.
The President also recognized 10 successful farmers from Erute South Constituency, who are PDM beneficiaries, for their hard work and awarded them Shs1 million each.
First Lady Janet Museveni, who accompanied the President on the visit, was equally delighted to note that the PDM program is bearing fruits in Uganda, including in the Lango sub-region.
“I am honored to be in this village and to see what is happening in the new PDM families. In all the places we stopped today, what I admire most is what the PDM is planting in villages, the culture of a man and his wife working together,” she said.
The First Lady emphasized that this culture will ultimately lift up the children in their families, village communities, and will subsequently consolidate the unity of the nation.
She also reminded women not to leave out men in financial projects but to work together as a team.
Mrs. Apio, a 37-year-old mother of six, expressed her profound gratitude to President Museveni for the PDM program, which she affirmed has pulled her out of poverty.
“Before receiving PDM funds, life was extremely difficult. I was struggling with the basic needs in the family. Children dropped out of school due to lack of school fees. Life later turned round for the better when I heard President Museveni talking on Radio about PDM funds and I also got the money from our Banya-Amach Town Council SACCO,” she narrated.
Mrs. Apio shared her journey, highlighting how she used the PDM funds to plant maize, harvest 45 bags, and sell 40, earning Shs 2.8 million.
She also shared her plans to start coffee and dairy farming, as well as add value to her maize, and implored Ugandans not to take the wealth creation gospel of President Museveni for granted but to embrace it wholeheartedly.
“I appreciate President Museveni for empowering women, and I thank him for the PDM program,” she said.
The event was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, and other leaders.
