Uganda Pentecostal University (UPU) has launched a targeted scholarship programme for parish chiefs and town agents, a move aimed at strengthening the implementation of the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM) and accelerating community-level socio-economic transformation.
The initiative, unveiled in Fort Portal Tourism City, Western Uganda, is designed to equip frontline PDM implementers with the skills and knowledge required to effectively manage public resources and drive sustainable development at parish level.
Parish chiefs and town agents play a central role in coordinating the PDM, which is the government’s flagship strategy for transitioning households from subsistence to participation in the money economy.
UPU Vice Chancellor Prof. Pelucy Ntambirweki said the scholarships are funded through the John Ntambirweki Foundation, established in honour of the late Prof. John Ntambirweki, a former vice chancellor and a key visionary behind the university. She noted that the programme will cover degree studies for parish chiefs and town agents at no cost to the beneficiaries.
“This initiative is intended to empower parish chiefs and town agents with critical competencies in leadership, governance, financial management and community transformation, which are essential for the effective stewardship of PDM funds,” Prof. Ntambirweki said.
She added that strengthening the capacity of implementers is vital to ensuring that PDM resources translate into tangible outcomes for households and communities.
The degree programme integrates leadership and governance training, practical skills development, financial management, computer literacy, community engagement and transformation strategies.
According to the university, the curriculum is tailored to address real-world challenges faced by PDM implementers at grassroots level.
Prof. Ntambirweki said the scholarship programme aligns with Uganda Vision 2040, which seeks to transform the country into a modern, prosperous upper-middle-income economy. She described the PDM as a bold intervention designed to empower communities, stimulate productivity and nurture a resilient middle-income class.
So far, 60 parish chiefs and town agents have registered for the March intake. The vice chancellor urged eligible officials across the country to take advantage of the opportunity to enhance their professional capacity and improve the impact of PDM funding in their respective parishes.
She also called on government to expand support for research, professional development and practical exposure for PDM implementers, arguing that such investment would strengthen evidence-based planning and enable locally tailored development solutions.
The three-year scholarship programme was officially launched by State Minister for Primary Health Care Hon. Margaret Muhanga Mugisa, who represented President Yoweri Museveni at UPU’s 21st graduation ceremony held at the university’s Mucwa campus in Fort Portal. Hon. Muhanga commended UPU for aligning its academic programmes with national development priorities and praised the university’s leadership for advancing initiatives that directly support community transformation.
Introduced in 2022, the Parish Development Model positions the parish as the lowest unit for planning and service delivery, with a focus on boosting household incomes through a revolving fund and seven development pillars. While the programme has faced implementation challenges, capacity building among parish-level implementers is increasingly viewed as critical to its long-term success.