President Yoweri Museveni has stressed the importance of Local Council (LC) leaders in monitoring and overseeing government programs, particularly the Parish Development Model (PDM).

During a press briefing in Mbale on Saturday (November 9), the President emphasized the significance of grassroots responsibility.

According to a statement from his press team, Museveni is now on a PDM performance review tour in Uganda’s eastern Bukedi subregion.

Briefing media from the region at the Mbale State Lodge, he stated that local leaders are elected to serve the people’s interests and monitor the correct use of government monies.

The President stated that documented incidences of PDM misuse may be reduced if communities choose leaders who promote responsibility.

The ruling NRM administration’s decision to establish the LC system — a basic unit of local government — was motivated by the desire to empower people to elect representatives who are dedicated to local concerns.

Museveni noted that this would contrast the system’s reliance on public servants who may lack local responsibility.

He asked the LC3 and LC5 (district) chairpersons to play an active role in defending government funds.

During the press briefing, the President addressed environmental problems, notably wetland encroachment in the Bukedi sub-region.

Recognizing that some communities may have been deceived into cultivating in wetlands, he promised that the government will pay those impacted.

After being relocated to the borders of swamps, individuals will be encouraged to switch from rice farming to fish farming, which preserves wetland ecosystems and provides for sustainable water use via irrigation.

Museveni is sure that this method will restore the wetlands while also benefiting local livelihoods.

Furthermore, he advised cultural leaders to respect their bounds, warning that interfering with government affairs could lead to confrontations between cultural institutions and the state.

Looking ahead, the President promised to expand financing for the PDM as tax income increased, allowing communities to better access economic possibilities.

He also emphasized the numerous success stories among PDM beneficiaries, recognizing the need for increased media attention to spotlight these accomplishments and motivate other communities.