The introduction of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Uganda has notably impacted the Karamoja region, a place historically plagued by high poverty and cattle rustling.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2024 report states that Karamoja has the highest poverty intensity in the country at 68%.
Despite these challenges, many residents have shifted from practices like livestock raiding to more constructive forms of wealth generation, influenced by President Yoweri Museveni’s push for economic empowerment.
A significant example is Emma Losike Lokong, a 33-year-old father of five from Loregae Sub County, Nakapiripirit District.
On Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, Lokong shared how he transitioned from cattle rustling, which had been a major part of his livelihood alongside sand mining, to participating in PDM.
In 2023, he was among 25 residents who benefited from the government’s initiative, which provided a total of Shs1 billion for community wealth-building. Lokong used his PDM funding to lease four acres of land for farming green grams, selling the harvest for Shs1.7 million.
He reinvested these proceeds into purchasing pigs, which have since multiplied to 34, and credited the PDM for changing his mindset and urged other Karimojong people to return to their homes and contribute to local development.
“When I got the money, I hired four acres of land where I planted my green grams, which I later harvested and sold. I got Shs1.7 million. It was out of this money that I used to buy five pigs, and now I have a total of 34 pigs and am still multiplying rapidly, and I thank President Museveni for bringing us PDM,” Lokong reveled.
He said, “Mr. President, these pigs are speedily producing, but I don’t have a good house for it. I thank you for bringing PDM because it has made us now stop raiding animals from the neighboring communities. We wish you more years to stay in power. I ask my fellow Karimojong to stop wasting time in the streets of Kampala and Mbale and return home,” Lokong said.
In Amudat District, Amos Rembus Kolinyang, a farmer with six wives and 50 children, has also embraced new opportunities through the PDM.
He spoke about how PDM has helped many Karamojong people to move away from cattle rustling to goat rearing, using his PDM allocation to start a herd of 11 goats.
Kolinyang emphasized the need for ongoing peace to ensure the success of wealth creation projects.
In response, President Museveni, who is currently visiting the region, donated Shs5 million to boost the expansion of Kolinyang’s farming activities.
While at Lokong’s farm, President Museveni applauded the Karamojong people.
President Museveni commended the Karimojong people for embracing peace and now fully engaging in productive activities, marking a shift toward sustainable development in an area previously marked by conflict and poverty.
