Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries from Jinja district have applauded the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for introducing a program that has changed the lives of Ugandans.

According to the beneficiaries, the Ugx 1 million PDM fund has improved their standards of living through income-generating activities.

The development was confirmed during a PDM beneficiary data capture exercise by Gombolola Intelligence Security Officers (GISOs) from Jinja district on June 14, 2024.

Hatim Wasoma, from Nakabale village in Wansimba parish, Butagaya sub-county, said that he has continuously harvested from his tomato garden, which he ventured into with the PDM fund he received.

He, however, requested President Museveni to consider giving him and other beneficiaries an extra amount of money to further invest in other businesses.

Olivia Kalembe of Bwase village in Buwenge sub-county also thanked the president for the effort he invests in fighting corruption. She added that the PDM fund has created another source of income for her.

“I planted maize using the PDM money, sold it, and with the profits, I was able to rent land where I now grow sugarcane, which gives me more money,” Kalembe said.

Betty Babirye, a resident of Kiranga Busooe village in Wansimba parish, Butagaya sub-county, who ventured into the dairy business, said that she has been able to develop her family with the PDM fund.

“I bought a cow with the PDM money I received. The cow gave birth to a calf, which is now three months old. I am also able to sell the milk I get from the cow, which has in turn helped my family when in dire need,” Babirye said.

John Kibike, a beneficiary from Namagera central in Namagera ward, Namagera town council, who started a butchery business with funds, called upon Ugandans to join the PDM program for a better livelihood.

However, David Waiswa, a bursar at Buwenge Parents Primary School who used his PDM fund to join the agro-processing business, said that the price fluctuations in the industry have made it quite difficult for his business to grow.

On June 13, 2024, during the national budget reading, the government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Finance, noted that Ugx 1.059 trillion shall be allocated to PDM in FY 24/25 to increase household income.