On Thursday, December 5th, 2024 while addressing a public rally in the Kotido district (Boma Ground), the President declared that the current climate of peace in Karamoja presents a unique opportunity for residents to engage in wealth creation, stating, “There is no excuse for poverty!”
Emmanuel Losike Lokong, 33, a resident of Loregae Sub County, Nakapiripirit District, became a wealth creator this year after establishing a piggery project with the support from the PDM program.
Lokong, a former warrior, has successfully launched a piggery project with the help of PDM resources.
His venture not only supports his family but also represents a significant step towards integrating into Uganda’s money economy, in line with the President’s four-acre model farming strategy.
Lokong expressed pride in being a beneficiary of the PDM, contrasting his experience with others who may have mismanaged the funds.
He believes that with the ongoing peace and resources provided by the PDM, the people of Karamoja are on the brink of economic inclusion (money economy).
The optimism surrounding the PDM was echoed by MP Remigio Achia, chairperson of the Karamoja Parliamentary Association, who highlighted the region’s historical struggle with high poverty rates.
He urged the government to maintain the peace necessary for socioeconomic progress, which is critical for the region’s development.
Another beneficiary, Amos Rembus Kolinyang from Amudat district, shared his success with livestock farming.
With 11 goats and aspirations for rapid expansion, Kolinyang expressed his newfound financial confidence, being able to touch a million shillings for the first time. He is committed to leveraging his goat-rearing project to uplift himself from poverty.
In his message, President Museveni noted that with PDM funds, even small investments can lead to big transformations.
“Invest in goats, pigs, or cows. The PDM is here to lift every Ugandan into the money economy,” President Museveni said.
While in Karamoja, the president conducted an on-the-spot assessment of successful PDM projects and other wealth creation programs in the Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Abim, and Kotido districts.
