President Yoweri Museveni has issued a strong warning to parish chiefs and National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders accused of obstructing or misappropriating funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM), threatening them with arrest, dismissal from office, and mandatory repayment of misused amounts as the government ramps up scrutiny of the flagship poverty-reduction initiative.
Speaking on Monday during Uganda’s 40th Liberation Day celebrations at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, the President revealed that several parish chiefs had already been detained for allegedly undermining the programme out of self-interest.
“Go and be members of the parish SACCO. Any parish chief who does not cooperate with this programme should be arrested. Some parish chiefs have already been arrested because of selfishness,” Museveni declared.
He extended the warning to NRM members involved in diverting PDM resources, stating they would be stripped of their leadership roles and forced to refund the funds, underscoring the administration’s firm stance against corruption.
The Liberation Day event, themed “Tribute to Our Patriots Who Ushered in the Fundamental Change,” commemorated four decades since the NRM/A assumed power and was attended by top government officials, military leaders, religious and cultural figures, and members of the public.
Museveni highlighted Uganda’s economic progress, noting an approximate 7% growth rate driven by deliberate policies to boost local production.
He pointed out that domestically produced goods now constitute nearly 75% of supermarket inventories, a sharp contrast to near-total dependence on imports in earlier years.
Reflecting on the Parish Development Model, the President explained that it was launched after data in 2019 showed roughly 39% of households remained outside the formal money economy.
While many recipients had used the funds productively, he conceded that instances of misuse had occurred. He insisted that access to PDM resources must remain open, transparent, and inclusive, with allocations decided at fully attended parish meetings involving all eligible adults aged 18 and above.
The President also disclosed plans to revise PDM guidelines to raise funding levels, especially in urban settings, where allocations of Shs 400 million to Shs 500 million per parish are under consideration.
Museveni reaffirmed the government’s focus on inclusive growth through targeted support for unemployed graduates and vulnerable populations, alongside continued investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
He identified agro-industrialisation, tourism, and value addition as priority sectors for generating employment and increasing household incomes.
Addressing the recent elections, the President voiced concern over low voter turnout among his supporters, noting that millions of potential voters stayed away despite his victory.
