Museveni Tasks Tooro Journalists to Expose Misuse of PDM Funds
May 19, 2025 | Fort Portal, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on journalists from the Tooro sub-region to play an active role in exposing any misuse of funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM)—a government initiative designed to lift Ugandans out of poverty through localized economic transformation.
Speaking during a media engagement at State Lodge–Fort Portal, Museveni emphasized that the PDM is a critical tool for improving household incomes and achieving sustainable development.
“Thieves of PDM should be jailed and serve as labourers, which will be beneficial to the government,” Museveni declared.
Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Model
Journalists at the event raised concerns over the lack of proper sensitization for PDM beneficiaries and the unclear implementation framework.
Museveni responded by explaining the original concept behind the Shs1 million per beneficiary. It was calculated based on investments in coffee farming—specifically the cost of 250 seedlings per acre—while also incorporating four sectors with seven core activities to ensure inclusivity and broader participation.
“We calculated based on coffee but expanded to cover four sectors to include everyone,” Museveni said, defending the program’s design logic.
Enhancing Accountability and Media Involvement
To reinforce transparency, the President proposed that each district in the Tooro region nominate one journalist to be attached to the Presidential Press Unit (PPU) for direct monitoring of the PDM initiative. He also contributed Shs100 million to the journalists’ SACCO and donated a transport van to aid in their operations.
Museveni urged the media to align their work with national priorities by promoting patriotism, mindset change, and fact-based reporting on socio-economic programs like PDM.
Land Dispute at Kyaka II Refugee Settlement
The President also addressed a longstanding land dispute in Kyegegwa’s Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, promising to issue land titles to current occupants.
“They stole that land from the government, but we have decided to let them stay because it is not environmentally sensitive. I will write about it,” he stated.
Looking Ahead
The meeting, also attended by ICT Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency in its flagship poverty alleviation programs and underscores the crucial watchdog role of regional media.
