Sironko District has recorded substantial progress under the Parish Development Model (PDM), with 55,075 individuals benefitting from the initiative since its inception.

The figures were revealed during a stakeholder engagement at the district headquarters, chaired by Brig Gen Godfrey Muwanguzi, Acting Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).

Speaking to local government leaders and SACCO executives, Brig Gen Muwanguzi underscored the need for patriotism and adherence to the Ministry of Local Government’s implementation guidelines.

“The Ministry has outlined clear roles for each level of government. I urge you to be patriotic and apply these guidelines diligently,” he said.

He likened the Parish Revolving Funds to community banks, urging stakeholders to manage them responsibly and strictly in line with PDM protocols.

Sironko, which hosts Uganda’s highest number of parishes—224 across Budadiri East and Budadiri West, covering 1,545 villages—has seen this extensive reach play a pivotal role in its high level of PDM participation. Chief Administrative Officer Mr Nelson Kidera credited this breadth for the district’s progress and praised OWC coordinators for their dedication.

“Their commitment has been vital in delivering services to the community,” he remarked.

District Production Officer Dr Patrick Charles Okori reported that Sironko has received UGX 57.79 billion through the Parish Revolving Fund, with a disbursement rate of 95.29%. The funds have supported 1,692 enterprise groups engaged in agriculture and livestock, including coffee, dairy, bananas, horticulture, piggery, poultry, and fishing.

However, Dr Okori acknowledged persistent challenges affecting full implementation. These include data discrepancies between the Parish-Based Management Information System (PDMIS) and the Financial Inclusion System (FIS), manipulation of beneficiary lists by certain Parish Development Committees, corruption among some SACCO leaders, and difficulties in accessing remote areas.

Despite these issues, SACCO executives commended the government for simplifying the application process. They noted that acquiring PDM funds now requires only a national ID, in contrast to the burdensome procedures previously associated with bank loans.

The PDM, launched by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in February 2022, aims to transition 33% of Ugandan households from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. Each eligible household receives UGX 1 million to invest in income-generating agricultural activities.

After the meeting, Brig Gen Muwanguzi, accompanied by district technical officials, visited selected beneficiaries to observe how the funds are being utilised at the grassroots.

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Ugandans to take the Parish Development Model (PDM) seriously, describing it as a powerful tool to lift citizens out of poverty and generate far more jobs than the government can offer.

Speaking during a rally at Wabinyonyi playground in Nakasongola District on May 22, 2025, the President emphasized that grassroots wealth creation particularly through commercial agriculture and small-scale enterprises is the foundation for sustainable job creation in Uganda. He warned against the overreliance on limited government jobs, urging the public to shift their focus to private sector opportunities facilitated by initiatives like PDM.

 “People waste a lot of time looking for government jobs. And the leaders also don’t explain very well that in a developing country, there are more jobs in the private sector than in the government because the government jobs are few. The government jobs (civil servants, police, the army, teachers, and health workers) are 480,000. The population of Uganda is 46 million. So, how can they be satisfied? The people who are doing the PDM era are already employing people,” President Museveni said.

President Museveni gave an example of the Minister of State for Transport, Fred Byamukama, who is employing 26 people on his 4-acre model farm, and one Nyakana Richard of Rwengaaju in Kabarole, who is employing 15 people, using 1.2 acres of land.

“Uganda has 40 million acres of arable land. I was calculating that if we used only seven million acres like Nyakana has done, and each acre created 15 jobs, we would have 105 million jobs, more than all the people of Uganda. We would have so many jobs to the extent of importing workers,” the President noted.

President Museveni added that the factories are already employing 1.2 million people, three times more than in the government.

“You, the parents, need to advise your children that the government jobs are limited. You prepare yourself to work in commercial farms, factories, and service sectors or become a job creator in the commercial agricultural sector,” he stressed.

The President hinged his address on six pillars, namely, peace, security, development, wealth, health, and education, as key to achieving socio-economic transformation, while emphasizing that they should be handled carefully through prioritization in the spirit of patriotism.

“You people should continue supporting the NRM, which believes in unity for all Ugandans, and that’s one of the pillars of peace,” he said.

President Museveni emphasized that whereas development (enkulakulana) reflected in social services such as roads, health centers, schools, and electricity is crucial, wealth creation and fighting household poverty should be everybody’s concern.

“This road to Gulu was tarmacked soon after independence and has been tarmacked since that time for 60 years, but up to now, there are poor people residing around it. So, NRM does not want you to only talk about development but also household incomes,” he said, adding that it’s the reason the NRM, since 1995 has been supporting the wealth creation drive through initiatives such as Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Emyooga, and now PDM.

The President pointed out a few people who have listened and are doing well, such as Joseph Ijara of Serere, who uses two and a half acres to do poultry and livestock, earning him more than Shs1 billion a year through selling eggs and milk, with profits amounting to over Shs800 million per year. Others are Hajjat Mariam Baiga in Ssekamuli, Bamunaanika in Luwero, Nalubowa Aida of Nakaseke, and a 64-year-old Tumusiime Deziranta who just started with Shs1 million from PDM and is doing well.

According to President Museveni, if the PDM is taken seriously, the parish SACCOs will reach an extent of owning banks worth Shs 1.6 billion in 10 years, and this will save them the burden of running to money lenders who charge them exorbitant profits.

After two years, a PDM beneficiary who received Shs 1 million is expected to return it with an interest of Shs 120,000 only.

“So please, don’t neglect this. I heard people blaming the Sacco leaders for prioritizing family members and friends. This is because you don’t go there. A parish Sacco is for everybody above 18 years in that parish, and when you meet, that’s how you elect your Sacco leaders. Be active and get involved,” President Museveni stressed.

President Museveni also promised to set up a special fund for the fishermen after leaders appreciated him for protecting the lakes through the fisheries protection unit, which has streamlined fishing activities.

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The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has established its inaugural Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), an initiative designed to enhance disease surveillance and bolster the military’s readiness to respond to emerging health threats.

Chaired by Prof Dr Moses Joloba of Makerere University, the committee brings together leading experts including Prof Byarugaba Denis (Makerere University), Prof Peter Olupot (Busitema University), Dr Susan Nabadda (Ministry of Health), and Col Dr Kyobe Bbosa, the Ministry’s Incident Commander.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA), Mrs Rosette Byengoma, Under Secretary for Logistics Mr Francis Ngabirano Kahiriita highlighted the critical role of health in national defence. 

“There is need for a deeper understanding of known, unknown, anticipated, and unanticipated health threats to the Force and its operating environment,” he said.

“One of the strategic responses to these challenges is rooted in science, and this is why the SAC was constituted.”

Mr Ngabirano praised the committee’s members for their commitment and expertise, calling them a national asset. 

“SAC is expected to advise on current and future biological threats, identify knowledge gaps, and promote national and international collaboration. Its work will support force health protection and contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation,” he added.

He expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his guidance, and to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for approving the initiative.

Maj Gen Dr Ambrose Musinguzi, head of the Joint Staff Health Services, reaffirmed the committee’s role in fortifying Uganda’s disease surveillance capabilities. 

“We saw it necessary to put mechanisms in place to detect, protect against, and respond to emerging infectious diseases. The SAC will play a critical role in advancing this mission,” he said.

Prof Dr Joloba welcomed the collaboration, noting the UPDF’s potential to positively impact public health through its existing infrastructure. 

“We are grateful for this opportunity. The UPDF has made important contributions to public health, and we are excited to be part of this journey. Through collaboration, we can address pressing health issues not just nationally but across the region,” he said.

He underscored the global precedent for military involvement in healthcare. “Globally, the military has been instrumental in health interventions. The UPDF is well-positioned to do the same, and we must harness this potential,” he added.

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