The government has released UGX 529 billion as the first tranche for the capitalisation of Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCOs in the 2025/26 financial year, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Ministry of Finance headquarters, Kasaija said the funds—equivalent to UGX 50 million for each of the 10,589 verified PDM SACCOs—will start reflecting on parish accounts tomorrow.
“In accordance with the PDM policy, we release PDM funds in two tranches every six months,” he said. “The Parish Development Model is no longer a theory. It is a reality. It is in your parishes. It is in your households. PDM is growing bigger, stronger and more impactful.”
According to the Ministry of Finance, the government has so far transferred UGX 3.216 trillion directly to the 10,589 parishes implementing the programme. Every single parish has now received at least UGX 300 million, and 99% of these funds have already been disbursed to 3.27 million Ugandans.
PDM at the Heart of Museveni’s 2026 Campaign Messaging
The release of funds comes as President Yoweri Museveni intensifies his campaign for the 2026 general elections, officially underway since September 2025. His messaging has increasingly centred on economic transformation under the theme “Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.”
While not always mentioned explicitly, the PDM forms a core part of Museveni’s wealth-creation narrative, especially as he campaigns in rural communities where parish-level economic improvement is a decisive voter issue.
Snapshot of Museveni’s campaign messages linked to PDM
November 18, 2025 – Buyende, Kaliro (Busoga): Emphasised NRM’s four-decade record of peace and development, promised upgrades to key roads and services.
November 17, 2025 – Bugweri, Namutumba, Busia: Called for unity and stability, urged youth to engage in productive activities beneficial to national development rather than “wasting time on European football.”
November 10–11, 2025 – Mbale City: Promised upgrades to the Mbale-Nkokonjeru and Bududa-Bubulo circular roads.
November 6, 2025 – Bulambuli, Manafwa: Highlighted support for landslide victims and NRM achievements in the region.
November 1, 2025 – Amuria: Praised local Arrow Boys for restoring peace and pledged more development projects.
October 3, 2025 – Otuke: Promised an “oil-backed transformation,” vowing that oil revenues will be dedicated to infrastructure such as roads, railways, and electricity—mirroring PDM’s foundational philosophy.
September 30, 2025 – Luweero: Launched his campaign pledging to help more Ugandans enter the money economy, a core objective of the PDM.
As the government continues expanding PDM funding nationwide, the programme remains central both to Uganda’s economic strategy and to the ruling party’s campaign narrative heading into the 2026 polls.