In order to rally support for government initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM), the Born-Again Pentecostal Churches are requesting a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni.

The call was made on Tuesday at a media event held at the Kenlon Hotel in Kampala by the organization operating under their banner, Truth Defenders of Rural Area Pastors.

This is at a time when Judith Nabakooba (lands) and other ministers have asked Christians to support government development initiatives like the PDM for the benefit of the populace.

The PDM initiative was introduced by the President in February 2022. A multi-sectoral government policy known as the PDM aims to eradicate poverty by integrating the 16.1 million Ugandans who live on a subsistence basis (39% of households, or 3.5 million homes) into the money economy.

For the fiscal year 2022–2023, the government allotted shillings 100 million to each of the country’s 10,594 parishes to assist the aforementioned Ugandans in starting and operating profitable agriculture value chain businesses.

According to Pastor Robert Nsereko of God’s Plan International Ministries Kikyusa in Luwero district, Uganda has various government schemes to combat poverty, but the people have reaped no benefits.

“We have heard of so many government projects to fight poverty, for development through agriculture, and for value addition, but we have gained nothing from the financial revolving funds,” he explained.

The group claims that every time they see Museveni, they are not given the opportunity to present their point of view, despite the fact that they are aware of the hardships that people in rural areas face.

According to Nsereko, the Truth Defenders of Rural Area Pastors has over 50,000 registered Born-Again congregations across the country. He stated that their organization wishes to meet with the President in order to share with him their concerns, ideas, and problems.

According to Apostle William Wandukwa of Redeemed Gospel Church Ministries, the Born-Again have not benefited greatly from government programs because they do not reach their people.

He ordered government personnel in charge of the programs to include them when educating people about various government measures to combat household poverty.

“The majority of church members are not developing because they are not involved in government projects,” Wandukwa explained.