President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Monday, 12th April, defied torrential rains when he kicked off the tour of the Rwenzori sub region to assess the implementation of the Parish Development Model and wealth creation programs.

The President shocked residents with a surprise donation of over Shs62 million, urging locals to wake up and claim their rightful share of Uganda’s wealth by embracing all government-supported initiatives.

Museveni’s convoy rolled into Kasese District, where he toured the PDM-powered farm of one Biira Pelucy, a visually impaired woman who once begged for survival and is now a thriving poultry farmer with over 750 chickens.

“I used to beg for food… now I feed others; everything is possible,” Biira declared proudly, her voice cracking with emotion.

Biira, who despite being visually impaired, has transformed her life through the PDM by running a successful poultry business, earning UGX 7 million from her latest sale. Her journey illustrates the government’s push for self-reliance and income generation.

Biira’s meteoric rise from the streets to a self-made businesswoman left the President visibly moved, and he immediately donated Shs20 million to expand her business. He advised her to use the money to fence her farm and purchase a delivery motorcycle. But that wasn’t all.

Museveni further stunned the crowd by pulling out more Shs1 million for each of 10 PDM farmers, plus Shs6 million for the area LCI chairperson.

“This is what we’ve been preaching. If you’re poor in Uganda, it’s not because the country lacks; it’s because you haven’t listened, Museveni said.

President Museveni expressed joy at Ms. Biira’s progress, saying her story is a testament to what the government has long advocated for: self-reliance and household income generation.

“If you don’t follow up on this money and use it, you’re not only failing yourselves but also the government that wants to get you out of poverty,” he said.

Museveni also contributed Shs20 million to Biira to help her fence her poultry farm and purchase a means of transport for her business, another Shs1 million to each of 10 PDM farmers who turned up at the event, and Shs6 million to the area LCI chairperson.

He further criticized the police and judiciary for releasing thieves on bond and vowed to take action against officers who fail to protect communities.

“Any policeman giving bond to thieves will be arrested,” he warned, adding that elected local leaders such as LCVs and LC3s must solve problems within their communities.

She expressed deep gratitude to the President and the PDM initiative for changing her life.

“I used to be a beggar. Now, I can manage my needs, take care of my treatment, and run a business that gives me dignity,” Biira told the President.

The President also visited the farm of Steven Kisembo, a 34-year-old resident of Kisungu II Cell in West Ward, Kibuuku Town Council, Ntoroko District.

Kisembo, a PDM beneficiary, now owns 18 goats and a farm he started after receiving PDM money in 2023.

In his message, the President urged religious and cultural leaders to play an active role in fighting poverty, saying they must go beyond preaching and tradition to guiding communities toward economic transformation.

Museveni also supported Kisembo with Shs10 million, contributed Shs1 million to each of the 10 PDM beneficiaries who received him at the farm, and gave Shs6 million to the area LCI chairperson.

“People being poor in a country that has everything is a big mistake, and it’s largely a failure in leadership,” the president said.

“I’m not just talking about political leaders, but also religious and cultural ones. These should be like parents to the people,” he mentioned.

The President also questioned how spiritual and traditional leaders can claim moral authority yet fail to provide practical guidance on livelihoods.

“How can you be a pastor or cultural leader when you can’t even feed the flock with real solutions?” he asked.

In Bundibugyo, the president toured an established farm where he called for hard work and urged people to embrace wealth creation messages of the NRM government.

The President will on Tuesday, April 13th preside over Rwenzori leaders meeting in Bundibugyo district.