President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has resumed his highly anticipated Parish Development Model (PDM) assessment tour in the Ankole subregion diving into an evaluation of the program’s impact, accountability, transparency and fund utilization.
The tour which kicked off today is expected to scrutinize whether the government’s flagship poverty eradication initiative is delivering on its promises or merely serving as a political talking point.
The PDM launched as Uganda’s boldest attempt to uplift rural communities aims to channel funds directly to local parishes to boost small-scale enterprises. However, questions linger over its effectiveness, alleged mismanagement of funds, and the real-life impact on beneficiaries.
Museveni’s visit to Ankole a region known for both its agricultural productivity and deep political ties to the ruling party adds weight to the debate.
During his engagements, Museveni is expected to meet local leaders, assess the distribution of funds and hear testimonies from intended beneficiaries. However, past visits to other regions have exposed loopholes with reports of misallocation, delayed disbursements and political favoritism tainting the program’s credibility.
As live updates flood the media and government officials rally behind the initiative.
Museveni’s opposition argue that while the PDM is a sound economic strategy on paper, its execution has been filled by corruption and bureaucracy. On the other hand, supporters see the program as a game-changer for rural transformation.
