Butambala — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni resumed his nationwide Parish Development Model (PDM) monitoring tour in Greater Mpigi, where he encountered one of the programme’s most compelling success stories — Ms Rashida Namubiru of Kasaka Village, Butambala District.
For years, Ms Namubiru, a mother of eight, struggled to make ends meet. But everything changed when she received Shs1 million through the government’s PDM programme — funding that would transform her from a subsistence survivor into a thriving, self-reliant farmer.
“Before PDM, even Shs100,000 was a mountain I couldn’t climb,” she said tearfully, standing beside the President in her growing homestead. “But the day I received that message about the money, I knew my life was about to change.”
Namubiru had joined the Kasaka Goat Rearing Group, a small enterprise formed during PDM sensitisation sessions. With her Shs1 million, she bought three female goats and one male, used the rest to build a simple shelter, and began studying animal husbandry.
Just months later, her goats gave birth to multiple kids, and her herd grew rapidly. She sold two goats for Shs400,000, reinvesting the earnings into a stronger shelter. The benefits multiplied — the manure from her herd revitalised her coffee and banana plantations. Where she once earned Shs500,000, she now makes Shs1.7 million per season.
That money bought her a cow and — more importantly — paid tuition for her son, who had dropped out after Senior Four. He’s now pursuing a diploma at Namasuba College of Commerce. “PDM restored my dignity. I am no longer a beggar — I am a contributor,” she said proudly.
Her farm now includes eight goats, one cow, a productive coffee plantation, and bananas, all sustained through her commitment and smart use of that initial investment.
President Museveni, visibly moved by her story, praised her as a symbol of the program’s potential. “Rashida reminds me of the parable of the sower — she is the good soil that bore fruit,” he said. In a personal gesture of support, he pledged to buy her additional land and contributed Shs12 million for a tuk-tuk to ease her transport needs.
He emphasised that PDM is a non-partisan programme meant for all Ugandans, regardless of religion or political affiliation, and called on citizens to repay the funds after two years so others can benefit. “This money is not for the government. It is yours. Use it well, return it, and let it help someone else,” he said.
President Museveni also reaffirmed his policy that no bank charges should be deducted from PDM funds — every beneficiary must receive the full Shs1 million. He reflected on his decades-long fight against poverty through programs like Entandikwa, NAADS, OWC, and now PDM.
“The mission is one—to—lift Ugandans from poverty through productive, small-scale enterprise,” he said. “Even one acre can create 15 jobs. If we harness just 7 million acres, we can generate 105 million jobs — more than twice our population.”
The President’s message was clear: with the right mindset and support, transformation is possible. “Let no one misuse this money — it is a treasure for your future. The time to fight poverty and create wealth is now.”
The event was attended by senior government officials, including Government Chief Whip Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, Minister of State for Investment Hon. Evelyn Anite, and State House Comptroller Ms. Jane Barekye.
