The Jinja Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Richard Gulume, has emphasized that the Parish Development Model (PDM) is a project that will rescue the poorest of the poor in Uganda.

Gulume said this while launching the PDM data capture training exercise for Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISO) in the Busoga region at Jinja City Council offices on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

He urged GISOs, parish chiefs, and other stakeholders to get involved in the implementation, mobilization, and sensitization of the program to enable beneficiaries to create wealth.

RDC Gulume warned leaders against distorting the facts guiding the implementation of PDM.

“Some people took advantage of PDM beneficiaries and gave them the wrong information. For example, people giving out money to beneficiaries lied that a certain amount of money was to be retained by the SACCO, cheating them of their exact amount,” Gulume said.

Lt Col. Isaac Twinomugisha from ISO said the data capture exercise is not only to fulfill the sixth PDM pillar and the parish-based management information system, but it is also feeding into other pillars like social services.

“As you are capturing this data on the Zaidi App, you realize that you will be capturing social services infrastructure in your area like hospitals, water points, schools, and police stations, which will fulfill the fourth PDM pillar, social services,” Lt. Col. Twinomuisha said.

2nd Lt. Vivien Akullo from ISO urged the participants to work as a team for effective implementation of the program, so that every household can shift from the “poorest of the poor” level.

The PDM data capture is being spearheaded by the Internal Security Organization, which developed a program called “Zaidi App” to acquire the particulars of beneficiaries.