KABAROLE – Disgruntled Nyantaboma parish inhabitants in Harugongo sub-county, Kabarole district, have demonstrated against the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds’ delayed disbursement.
The PDM is a multi-sectoral government plan aimed at eliminating poverty by shifting 16.1 million Ugandans, or 39% of households, from a subsistence economy (living hand to mouth) to a money economy.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto, the NRM’s ideological pillars and core principles (particularly social-economic transformation), and the NRM’s plan for implementing social-economic transformation through the priority industries of commercial agriculture, services, ICT, and industrialization are the sources of inspiration for this strategy.
The citizens have stormed the sub-county headquarters, demanding an explanation from the LC3 chairperson. They are led by Wilson Musinguzi, the chairperson of the Savings and Credit Co-operative Organization (SACCO).
The irate residents, led by Wilson Musinguzi, the chairperson of their SACCO, declared that they were sick and tired of wasting their money and time on fruitless attempts to obtain PDM funds for the past six months.
“We completed all the steps required but whenever we go to Housing Finance [bank], the manager does not give us any clear statement but only sends us back to the district leaders who also have no genuine answer,” Musinguzi stated on September 30, 2024.
SACCO member Rose Kunihira claimed that because the money isn’t going to be used to pay farmers, it is no longer useful.
“We hoped to get funded as farmers but now it is past two seasons without getting the intended funds of PDM which is losing meaning as to why the President started it,” said Kunihira.
Under the PDM initiative, the parish is entitled to receive shillings 100 million this quarter, but no money has been received in this regard. Residents are furious over the delay and believe their leaders are ignoring their neighborhood.
The locals anticipated that the money would boost livelihoods, assist neighborhood projects, and promote economic expansion.
Community Effect
Community projects, especially agricultural ones, have been put on hold as a result of the delayed funding, as the majority of residents in Nyantaboma cultivate vegetables, dairy products, onions, and potatoes.
Next Actions
Godfrey Musumba, the chairperson of LC3, affirmed that his people should follow up on their funds by writing to various organizations till they obtain what is intended for them as soon as possible.
“I support the residents’ demands and I will escalate the matter to higher authorities for justice,” Musumba stated.