Pallisa | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has warned parish and sub-county chiefs in the Bukedi Sub-region against excluding the youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) from accessing funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Speaking at a campaign rally in Pallisa District on Wednesday, the President—who is also the NRM Presidential flag bearer for the 2026 elections—vowed to dismiss any local official found guilty of mismanaging or diverting funds meant for specific beneficiary groups.
“Within the 100 million shillings per parish, 30% belongs to the youth, 30% to the women, and 10% to the disabled. So, I don’t want to hear that story again,” Museveni said.
“If I hear that the youth, the women, or the disabled are not getting their share, I will go for the parish chief first—and I will dismiss them, plus the sub-county chiefs,” he warned.
The stern directive comes amid public concern over reports of favoritism, corruption, and delays in disbursement of PDM funds, a flagship wealth creation initiative launched in 2022 to lift Ugandans out of subsistence farming.
Museveni said the success of the program depends on transparent and fair administration at the local level. “Let everybody get their share,” he said. “But also, you, the youth, should join the SACCOs. Go to the Muluka chief and ask them to include you in the parish SACCOs. Nobody will stop you as long as you’re over 18 years old.”
The Parish Development Model allocates Shs. 100 million to each parish as seed capital to support household enterprises and drive commercial agriculture. Museveni said the goal is to transition rural households from subsistence to production.
According to data presented at the rally, Pallisa District, which has 90 parishes, has so far received Shs. 27.7 billion, with about 98.2% disbursed to 27,343 beneficiary households—representing 45% of the district’s total households.
Wealth Creation at the Core of NRM’s Message
Turning to his broader campaign message, President Museveni revisited Uganda’s long journey in poverty eradication since the NRM came to power in 1986, emphasising that citizens must focus on individual wealth creation.
“Development is for all of us, but wealth is for individuals. What is mine is better than ours,” he said. “From the beginning, we have said that if you want to be well, you must add wealth.”
He cited government initiatives such as Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, and now PDM as part of a continuous effort to empower Ugandans economically.
Museveni showcased success stories of individuals thriving through government programs, including Joseph Ijala from Serere District, who earns Shs. 6.8 million daily from poultry and dairy farming. “Serere may not have tarmac roads, but there is wealth there. That’s what we mean by transforming livelihoods,” Museveni said.
He also highlighted the example of Minister Fred Byamukama’s four-acre model farm, which generates about Shs. 700 million annually while employing 26 people. “This is how wealth creates jobs,” he said. “Government jobs are only 480,000, yet we have millions of Ugandans. Every household must focus on productivity.”
Museveni further announced plans to expand the PDM to include new categories such as local leaders, religious leaders, fishermen, and unemployed university graduates.
“We shall add Shs. 15 million for local leaders and create special funds for church and mosque leaders, cultural institutions, fishermen, and graduates who have been jobless for two years,” he said.
Industrialisation and Resource Utilization in Bukedi
Addressing the issue of industrial growth, the President revealed that Pallisa District had offered 100 acres of land for an industrial park, but said the size was too small.
“You have given me very little land. I want a square mile or more. When you get more land, come back to me,” he said.
Museveni cited the Sino-Uganda Industrial Park in Mbale, which hosts 75 factories, as a model for Bukedi’s future. He also urged residents to embrace fish farming in swampy areas instead of relying solely on rice cultivation.
“You, the Bukedi people, are blessed with swamps. Fish farming is very lucrative,” he said. “In my Lira farm, fishponds yield Shs. 100 million per year. In Limoto here, farmers are earning Shs. 56 million per acre—more than rice.”
He pledged government support for pond construction to expand fish farming in the region.
Peace, Infrastructure, and Social Services
The President reflected on Bukedi’s transformation from a conflict-prone region in the 1980s to a peaceful and developing area today.
“For 40 years, we have ensured peace. Pallisa was once attacked by cattle rustlers and Lakwena rebels. But now there is stability because of the institutions we built—the army, police, and a united NRM,” he said.
Museveni listed peace, transport, electricity, telecommunication, and water access among the NRM’s seven key contributions to Uganda.
“When NRM came to power, the only tarmac road in eastern Uganda was through Tororo. We made the Iganga–Tirinyi–Mbale road and the Tirinyi–Pallisa–Kumi road,” he said.
However, he criticised district authorities for neglecting rural road maintenance despite receiving government funding. “They just graded this road because they knew I was coming,” he said. “Each district got one billion for roads—so the RDC and LC5 must ensure accountability.”
On water access, Museveni commended Pallisa for achieving 96% rural water coverage, with ongoing and planned piped water and irrigation projects in several sub-counties.
He also pledged to address education and health service gaps, promising to establish a government primary school per parish, a secondary school per sub-county, and a health centre II in every parish.
“Our plan is to ensure that no child lacks access to school and no patient walks miles for healthcare,” Museveni said.
The rally, attended by thousands, also featured Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who praised Museveni for transforming Bukedi and defending Uganda’s values, and NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, who said the turnout reflected public confidence in the President’s leadership.
“We shall give you above 90% in the upcoming election,” said Hon. Derrick Orone, the Pallisa District NRM Chairperson, amid cheers from the crowd.
