Transparency in distribution of PDM funds
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) ruling party has called on local leaders involved in the distribution of Parish Development Model funds to exercise transparency .
Government allocated Shs 1.49 trillion towards the Parish Development Model to cover 10,594 parishes in the country. The distribution of funds has been divided into 18 clusters representative of the 18 sub-regions.
President Museveni launched the Parish Development Model in February 2022 to create wealth and alleviate poverty by generating household incomes.
PDM is designed under seven pillars; production, storage, processing and marketing; infrastructure and economic services; financial inclusion; social services; mindset change; management information system and governance and administration.
Government released Shs 36m for each parish in Uganda to fund the PDM programme in the third quarter of the financial year 2022/202, only 8,600 parishes qualified for the final stage of accessing the PDM funds.
While officiating at a function to launch the PDM in the districts of Greater Kiboga on Thursday, Hadija Namyalo Uzeiye the NRM head office national chairperson who also doubles as a Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs officiated at the handing over of 33 million shillings to a Sacco in Kalyango parish.
The ceremony was attended by National Coordinator Parish Dev’t Model and the State Minister for Luweero Triangle Dennis Galabuzi, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, Resident District Commissioner Lwengo Abudallah Kitata among others.
Namyalo urged local leaders to be open while distributing the funds and ensure that locals benefit from the PDM project to avoid tarnishing the reputation of the ruling party. She noted that there has been a challenge in the distribution of funds where some local leaders have misused or misappropriated the PDM funds.
“Transparency is not showing off but being accountable and showing that money has been received by the right people. The transparency leaders have shown today by openly distributing the money to Sacco members should be maintained always. We have witnessed Hon Galabuzi giving out the money via cheque in Kiboga and this should be done in other areas.” she said
Transparency in distribution of PDM funds
Namyalo was however concerned that some areas are unable to access the funds for unclear reasons which requires a follow up.
“What about other areas that have not received the PDM funds?Locals claim they were denied access to those funds and that is why all handlers of this money need to be transparent as it has been done today in Kiboga,” She added
She warned individuals to avoid tarnishing the name of the NRM party and the national chairman, President Museveni, by are crippling government efforts to ensure prosperity and development for all Ugandans.
She further explained that government has put in place a number of programmes to ensure prosperity among citizens, however, bad-hearted officials are using these programmes to acheive their selfish interests.
In Early Febuary, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, granted legislators a two-week recess to conduct oversight into the operation of the Parish Development Model. She said that under Article 90 of the Constitution, the MPs’ mandate is to carry out the oversight function on the Parish Development Model (PDM) in their respective constituencies.
The letter from the Speaker read by the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, stated that the oversight will be for two weeks from Friday, 03 to 17 February 2023.
“I have communicated to the relevant authorities and expect that all MPs should be furnished with documentation and correspondences relating to PDM as well as evaluate and access the disbursement of all PDM funds,” The letter read.
Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi
