Published on 19/11/2024
President Yoweri Museveni has called for a renewed focus on wealth creation among Ugandan citizens asserting that the initiative which began long before independence is rooted in the need for socio-economic transformation of our country.
The President who was addressing leaders in the Teso Subregion at Boma Grounds in Kumi District called for strict accountability on the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme emphasizing those who misappropriate the funds should face action.
Museveni also condemned unauthorized deductions from PDM funds and issued a stern warning to those mismanaging the money. “Anyone caught stealing PDM funds will not be granted police bond or court bail,” he declared, adding that he intends to discuss this with the Chief Justice to see the appropriate legal implications.
Mr Museveni said the “politics of identity” as a major hindrance to progress, advocating instead for a shift to “politics of interest” to drive economic growth. To elucidate his point, the 80-year-old Ugandan leader likened his experience as a cattle keeper to the benefits of economic pragmatism.
“I don’t ask my milk buyers about their tribe,” Mr Museveni said, stressing that progress requires transcending tribal divisions to focus on economic interests. He lamented the failure of past leaders to embrace socio-economic transformation, which led to the National Resistance Army’s liberation struggle.
Following the NRA’s rise to power in 1986, the President revealed that his government devised a blueprint for economic growth centred on four key sectors; Commercial Agriculture, Manufacturing, Services (including tourism, health, and legal services) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
He highlighted the enormous potential within the manufacturing sector, pointing to the transformation of previously underutilized land in Mbale into an industrial hub that has generated significant employment opportunities, particularly for the youth in Bugisu.
On the issue of agriculture, Museveni highlighted its accessibility, even for those with minimal capital or education. He proposed a “four-acre model” to optimize productivity:- 1 acre for cash crops like coffee, 1 acre for fruit farming, 1 acre for pasture, and 1 acre for food crops, complemented by poultry and pig farming.
The President encouraged the adoption of irrigation techniques to boost agricultural productivity, citing the success of Dr Muranga in Bushenyi, who saw a tenfold increase in banana production using irrigation, compared to her non-irrigating neighbours.
Museveni also acknowledged the challenge of wetland encroachment, promising to find solutions that support farmers while promoting sustainable practices like establishing fish ponds near wetlands.
On the effectiveness of the Parish Development Model, the President lauded the initiative as a critical intervention in empowering grassroots communities, noting its transformative impact. He shared that some Ugandans earned their first million shillings through the initiative.
To sustain the efforts of the PDM, Museveni reiterated that the government will continue allocating UGX 100 million annually per parish in the National Budget to bolster local economies. He also pledged to distribute coffee and fruit seedlings to farmers through their Members of Parliament.
The president is set to conclude his tour of the Teso Sub region tomorrow, Wednesday, November 20, with a mega rally in Kaberamaido District.
