KARAMOJA—President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has stressed that Uganda’s favorable climate and effective government policies and initiatives make combating poverty there relatively simple.Experiences with cultural tourism

In Uganda, escaping poverty is simple. Among the easy methods are commercial agriculture and the Parish Development Model (PDM).

In addition to raising crops, you should keep goats, chickens, and cows. Others should take care of pigs.

Accordingly, poverty is ignorance when people receive the incorrect advice and are unsure of what to do,” he stated.

When the President began his wealth creation and PDM performance review tour in the Karamoja subregion earlier today (Tuesday, December 3), he gave the advice.

President Museveni further thanked the locals for listening to the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) message of peace when visiting Mr. Amos Rhembuss, a cattle farmer in Amudat District and one of the PDM beneficiaries.

“Peace was the NRM’s message from the start. We told you that those who were advising you to utilize raiding to become wealthy were deceiving you since there is no way to do it,” he stated.

First of all, you might die, but the cows and goats you steal will also perish since, as you recall, during the Corona outbreak, we advised staying at home and not moving because doing so might infect you. When you follow the cows around, they get diseases.”

“I keep cattle, and the Banyankore were like you—nomadic and on the move—but in the 1960s, we pushed them to settle down and engage in commercial agriculture and food security, and now they are wealthy. That’s something visitors can attest to,” President Museveni stated.

“You should abstain from all gun use; no one should bring firearms here from anywhere,” he said.

Through various initiatives like the PDM, the President gave the residents of Amudat the assurance that the government would keep giving them the tools they need to combat poverty and enhance their standard of living.

“We now provide you Shs100 million year each parish, with Shs1 million going to each home.

This implies that your parish will receive Sh500 million in five years. The person who initially received the Shs1 million begins to return it after 24 months. For example, if a parish had 1,200 households, we would have covered everyone in six years.

The news that the Pokot population had grown pleased President Museveni as well.

“The NRM arrived to educate you all. We haven’t added other things like diet, cleanliness, and safe water, but the introduction of vaccinations has contributed to the growth of your people in addition to peace. He clarified, “You will be able to eradicate illnesses if you do all those things.”

“If vaccination alone has been successful in growing the population, how much more will happen when all other measures are taken? Your life will be excellent.

Mr. Rhembuss’s embrace of the PDM and his resolve to expand his herd were also commended by President Museveni. He reaffirmed how crucial government initiatives are to reducing poverty and urged the people of Amudat to focus on income-generating activities like livestock farming, crop cultivation, and other ventures supported by the four-acre model.

Mr. Rhembuss received Shs5 million from the President to expand his business.

The President was praised by Peter Lokeris, the Minister for Karamoja, for initiating the PDM and other programs that have helped the Karimojong people.

Although he acknowledged having early concerns about the program’s effectiveness, he was thankful for the tremendous influence it had on Amudat and other towns.

Mr. Rhembuss, from Jumbe village in Amudat, thanked the Ugandan government, led wisely by President Museveni, for establishing the PDM project, which has greatly benefited everyone in Amudat, including himself.

“I was thrilled to learn that it was your initiative when I received the Shs1 million. Every time I see my animals growing in number, I continue to thank H.E. the President,” he remarked.

“I purchased two goats and four sheep when I got the Shs1 million. From the animals I purchased, I currently own eleven sheep and five goats. My home seems to be moving toward prosperity these days. I made the decision to settle because I don’t want to risk my life in these raiding activities,” he continued.

Among other dignitaries, ministers and members of parliament attended the ceremony.