A data-capturing exercise targeting beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program has kicked off in Luuka District on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

Led by a team from the Office of the President, the Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) across the country will be continuously collecting data to ensure accurate information, monitor resource utilization, and digitally capture the physical addresses of participating homes and their projects.

In Wandago Parish, Ikumbya Subcounty, Susan Nanyonga, a single mother of nine children who lost her husband in 2022, expressed her gratitude to the government and the President for the PDM program.

“Thanks to this initiative, i have been able to provide for my family. I used the UGX 1 million I received to purchase additional coffee seedlings, fertiliser, and make improvements to my existing coffee farm,” Nanyonga said.

According to Nanyonga, she anticipates a significant increase in her harvest, aiming for at least 10 bags by the next season.

Previously, her yield averaged 2 bags per harvest, generating an income of UGX 2 million, which translates to a potential income increase of UGX 3 million with the PDM support.

Betty Kaddali, a beneficiary from Luanda Parish, also appreciated the government’s support for them through the PDM project.

“While the initial funding might seem small, it allowed me to construct a pigsty and purchase pigs. Now, I have a business to call my own,” Kaddali said.

She went ahead and requested additional funding to expand her operation.

The data-capturing team also interacted with beneficiaries who faced challenges utilizing the resources for their registered enterprises. Some beneficiaries admitted to difficulties managing businesses they were unfamiliar with, leading to financial losses.

Despite these setbacks, they expressed a commitment to learning and improving their business practices to maximize their income potential.

Bernard Buyinza of Wandago Parish acknowledged the value of PDM funds in securing his children’s future education.

“I initially invested in piggery, which wasn’t successful. However, I sold the pigs and used the proceeds to purchase 680 coffee seedlings, which are now thriving,” Buyinza said.

This data-capturing exercise is a crucial step in evaluating the program’s effectiveness and ensuring its continued success in supporting Ugandan communities.

The Office of the President will be conducting a data capture exercise on PDM beneficiaries in all villages across the country. The data acquired will be captured under the sixth pillar of PDM, the Parish Development Model Information System (PDMIS).