President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged over Shs160 million to Kampala-based journalists, urging them to take a frontline role in promoting government-led poverty eradication programmes, particularly the Parish Development Model (PDM).
The President made the financial commitment during a special meeting with media practitioners on Sunday, July 20, 2025, held at State Lodge Nakasero.
During the engagement, President Museveni emphasized that the media wields significant influence and should use its platforms to highlight the successes of transformative national programmes such as PDM.
Of the pledged amount, Shs100 million was directly allocated to the Kampala Journalists SACCO.
An additional Shs60 million was earmarked to assist the group in acquiring land for development purposes.
The President also promised a transport van to help journalists overcome logistical constraints in their day-to-day work.
He commended the press for its crucial role in shaping public opinion and called on journalists to become more active in educating the masses about government interventions aimed at transitioning citizens from subsistence lifestyles to a monetized economy.
“The Parish Development Model has succeeded where others failed because funds are sent directly to the beneficiaries’ accounts, eliminating corruption and leakages,” said Museveni.
He urged the media to go beyond reporting and play a proactive role in holding leaders accountable for ensuring the effective rollout of the programme.
The President noted with concern that some local leaders were not involving journalists in popularizing the PDM, a practice he said weakens public engagement and the potential impact of the programme.
He directed that street vendors, small-scale traders, and other informal sector participants in Kampala be included under the commerce category of the PDM, provided they possess valid National Identification cards.
He underscored that the PDM is meant to empower all Ugandans with viable business ideas regardless of land ownership status.
Addressing land issues, Museveni reaffirmed his government’s plan to fast-track compensation of Mailo landowners—particularly in Buganda—in order to secure tenancy rights and resolve longstanding disputes.
He tasked NRM flag bearers in Kampala, along with a special presidential audit unit, to step up oversight and ensure transparency in the reporting of PDM allocations and beneficiary data.
The President cautioned that some committees were underreporting figures, a malpractice he warned must be swiftly addressed.
Responding to concerns over taxation, Museveni explained that higher taxes are primarily imposed on luxury goods and imported products to support local industries.
He asserted that this policy has contributed to the stabilization of the Ugandan shilling.
In a move to deepen financial inclusion in urban areas, Museveni announced a plan to allocate Shs1 billion per SACCO specifically for groups based in Kampala’s ghettos and informal settlements.
He further committed to lobbying Cabinet for additional funding targeting urban communities under the PDM framework.
Journalists at the meeting expressed gratitude to the President for his ongoing support and for recognizing the media’s role in advancing Uganda’s development and poverty eradication agenda.
