In the heart of Uganda’s Busoga Sub-Region, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking shape, fueled by the Parish Development Model (PDM). This grassroots initiative is reshaping communities, empowering households, and unlocking new economic opportunities at the parish level.
The Office of the National Chairman (ONC), under President Museveni’s leadership, has stepped up efforts to oversee the implementation of this ambitious initiative, ensuring meaningful transformation at the grassroots level.
A vivid example of its impact is that of Joakim Foola, a determined farmer from Natafungilwa Village, Buwaiswa Parish, Buwaya Sub-county, Mayuge District.
On March 4, 2025, ONC Coordinator Rakibu Kiyimba visited Foola to assess his progress under the PDM. Joakim’s story is one of resilience and strategic vision.
With UGX 1 million received through the PDM, he launched a poultry business that has grown rapidly within a short span. His approach is simple yet highly effective: buy one-day-old chicks at UGX 2,900 each, raise them for a month, and sell them at UGX 9,000, yielding impressive returns.
This model has allowed him to reinvest profits swiftly, expanding his stock from 100 chicks to an impressive 630, with a target of 600 mature birds per cycle.
“The key is quick reinvestment,” Foola explained, his eyes bright with ambition. “This way, I can expand my operations without delay.”
His success is not just measured in numbers but in the hope it has sparked in his community.
With a goal of raising 2,000 chicks per month and a projected turnover of UGX 6 million, Foola is well on his way to building a thriving enterprise.
However, his vision extends beyond personal gain. Recognizing the transformative power of agriculture, Foola founded the Kwagalana Youth Group, a collective of 30 young people eager to embrace poultry farming.
The group meets every last Sunday of the month, not just to learn but to save together, cultivating a culture of financial discipline and self-sufficiency.
“I want to inspire young people to see agriculture as a viable business,” Foola said passionately. “We are not just earning; we are creating opportunities for the community.”
His leadership has turned poultry farming into a beacon of hope for the youth, offering a path out of poverty through skills and financial literacy.
Kiyimba, impressed by what he saw, praised Joakim’s initiative and the broader impact of the PDM.
“This visit is part of ONC’s ongoing efforts to assess how PDM is being implemented and its impact on beneficiaries,” he remarked. “Foola’s success story is a testament to how government programs can uplift communities when properly utilized.”
The ONC’s monitoring efforts are designed to ensure that PDM beneficiaries not only receive funds but also maximize their potential for sustainable economic growth.
By visiting beneficiaries like Foola, ONC aims to gather insights, address challenges, and replicate successful models across the region.
The impact of the PDM in the Busoga Sub-Region is becoming increasingly evident. As more stories like Foola’s emerge of ordinary citizens transforming their lives and those of their neighbors, the initiative is proving to be a powerful catalyst for change.
For Foola, the journey has just begun, but his story is already inspiring countless others to believe in the power of agriculture and the promise of the Parish Development Model.
