The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has criticized the government ideology and implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM), saying it is, “a political tool to support the government in power.”

FDC Deputy Secretary for Publicity Mulindwa Walid Lubega, during a press briefing on January 20, 2025, at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, insisted that the PDM was launched in bad faith to favor the government.

“The party believes that the PDM was rolled out without adequate research and preparation, leading to a lack of meaningful impact. Secondly, the FDC is worried that the government is using the PDM as a political tool to win elections, rather than genuinely addressing poverty and socio-economic issues in Uganda,” Mulindwa said.

Mulindwa, citing the recent auditor general’s report, mentioned that there was a need to have a complete overhaul of the PDM project.

According to the auditor general’s report released on January 15, 2025, the PDM management information system, which started in the financial year 2021/2022, has since then recorded 9,366 PDM savings groups onto the system. However, the auditor general identified that Shs41.7 billion was disbursed outside this platform, contrary to the established guidelines.

“The FDC is calling for a comprehensive overhaul and rethinking of the PDM. The party wants to see a revised program that addresses the gaps identified by the Auditor General’s report, providing a meaningful and effective solution to lift Ugandans out of poverty,” Mulindwa stated.

He urged the government to crack a whip on officials who fail to implement resolutions passed by Parliament on Auditor General Reports probed by Parliament.

“Parliament cannot continue sitting and making declarations, and they are not implemented. We call upon Parliament to take punitive actions against accounting officers who do not implement recommendations in the Auditor General’s report,” Mulindwa added.

The report also shows that whereas Parliament appropriated Shs1.1 trillion for the PDM, the report revealed that household data collection only stands at 79.9%, with a population registration at just 46.3%, meaning only 21% of the population has benefitted from this poverty alleviation program.

The Party has called upon the government of Uganda to do a comprehensive overhaul and rethink the Parish development model project.