By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
President Yoweri Museveni has instituted a special committee to investigate the alleged misuse of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Kawempe Division, Kampala.
The committee, chaired by Hajjati Faridah Nambi, the newly elected NRM flag bearer for Kawempe North will be mandated to probe allegations of misappropriation funds, the integrity of the beneficiary lists, and claims that the intended recipients, particularly the youth, were deliberately left out.
The decision follows persistent complaints from residents during the President’s ongoing monitoring tours of PDM implementation across Kampala Capital City.
“There are serious concerns that some people in government diverted the funds meant to uplift ordinary citizens,” Museveni said while addressing residents at Mbogo Mosque in Kawempe.
The President noted that despite government’s disbursement of the funds, many residents claimed they had never received support under the PDM program. “This is unacceptable. We must identify the vulugu (mess) undermining PDM in Kawempe,” Museveni said.
According to Kawempe Division Clerk, Geoffrey Rwakabaale, over 7,000 households from 22 parishes have so far benefited from the initiative. However, the claim was met with boos and open rejection from the crowd, prompting the President to act swiftly by ordering the probe.
Museveni emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering the urban poor but underscored the importance of mindset change.
“We are ready to provide capital through Emyooga, the PDM, and Ghetto SACCOs. But capital without the right mindset is ineffective. People must shift from survival tactics to wealth creation,” he said.
He also used the platform to urge residents to stop voting for opposition politicians, accusing them of priotizing personal gain rather than addressing the needs of their constituents and promoting government programs in their areas of representation.
To further support economic activities in urban informal settlements, the President pledged Shs1 billion annually to support ghetto structures in each of Kampala’s five divisions.
“I congratulate the ghetto youth for the progress made so far. We shall increase our support so that they continue improving their livelihoods,” Museveni added.
The PDM is a flagship government program aimed at transitioning 39% of Uganda’s households from subsistence to market-oriented production by channeling funds directly to parish-level SACCOs.
