President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended Ugandan farmers who are successfully transforming their livelihoods through the Parish Development Model (PDM), calling it a practical path to ending poverty and promoting wealth creation.
During a visit to Gomba District, the President praised Deborah Namutebi of Lusenke Village for her progress in poultry, goat rearing, and banana farming. “She exemplifies how PDM can elevate families from subsistence living to participating in the money economy,” Museveni said.
He noted that previous initiatives like NAADS and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) laid the groundwork for the PDM’s success by fostering self-reliance.
In Mpigi District, Museveni also recognized Hajji Muhammad Yusuf Zziwa, a model farmer in Sselinya B Village, for effectively applying the four-acre model strategy. Zziwa manages five acres with 2,000 layer chickens, an acre of intercropped coffee and bananas, and four dairy cows.
“From poultry alone, Hajji earns UGX 550,000 daily—more than many office workers. This is what NRM emphasizes: hard work and productivity,” Museveni noted, likening the farmer’s efforts to seeds that fell on fertile ground.
Meanwhile, Namubiru Rashidah, a PDM beneficiary in Butambala District, has successfully expanded her goat-rearing business, now boasting eight goats, with more on the way. She has also ventured into coffee farming, utilizing her PDM funds effectively.
“These stories are a testament to what we’ve always said—fight poverty by engaging in wealth creation,” the President emphasized. He reminded Ugandans that the PDM funds belong to the people and must be recycled through SACCOs to benefit others. “We are considering increasing the amount to Shs200 million per parish to expand impact.”
The President’s remarks highlight the growing success and national impact of the PDM in transforming rural livelihoods.