During a tour highlighting the practical impact of the Parish Development Model (PDM) on rural households, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni hailed Ms. Florence Nabutono of Bukoda Cell, Kasasira Town Council in Kibuku District for her amazing path in wealth development.
Ms. Nabutono is the LC1 Chairperson of Bukoda Cell and a role model farmer in the community.
As part of his continuing performance review zonal trip for the PDM in the Bukedi Subregion, President Museveni praised Ms. Nabutono’s homestead’s amazing development and applauded her for embracing the government’s concept of self-driven wealth creation.
During his tour today, President Museveni urged Ugandans to embrace a similar entrepreneurial spirit, emphasizing that no one should be impoverished in a country as resource-rich as Uganda. He emphasized that with perseverance and realistic efforts, everyone has the ability to change their lives.
“I’d want to applaud the Nabutono family for waking up and taking advantage of our guidance and support. We’ve been doing this since 1996, but many individuals, particularly leaders, haven’t embraced it and aren’t educating the public on how to get out of poverty,” he said.
“This is a highly rich area; Uganda as a whole is quite rich, therefore what you term poverty is ignorance. There is no poverty here; I can’t be impoverished in Uganda. So I’m delighted you’re slowly catching up.”
The President also recognized Ms. Nabutono’s efforts in expanding her farming enterprise, which began with just 1 million Ugandan shillings from her Parish PDM SACCO. With this small investment, she bought a pig, which ultimately multiplied. By selling some of the progeny, she was able to pay her children’s school tuition while also diversifying her farm by adding poultry.
“I am pleased with how you are allocating the one million Ugandan shillings every family. “You’ve seen what one million Ugandan shillings can accomplish.”
President Museveni was impressed by her efforts and gave her an additional 10 million Ugandan shillings to buy dairy cows, urging her to buy a lactating and pregnant cow.
He explained that a dairy cow would produce steady milk, allowing her to sustain her family while also earning extra money by selling the surplus. He also suggested utilizing some of the proceeds to renovate her piggery by roofing it.
President Museveni further stated that Ms. Nabutono’s example should inspire others to follow the ideas of wealth creation.
“I will support Nabutono because she is doing well, but we need everyone to come up,” he joked.
Recognizing the importance of assisting livestock producers, President Museveni advocated constructing feed-chopping machines at the sub-county level in Kibuku District to improve animal feed accessibility and affordability. He directed the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, to find an appropriate location for the institution.
Ms. Nabutono thanked President Museveni and related her experience with the PDM, explaining how it has enabled her to support her family.
She indicated a wish to expand into dairy farming, stating that milk production would provide a consistent source of income for her family.
She also noted the problem of securing animal food, which is still a crucial hurdle for many farmers.
The occasion was also attended by Vice President H.E Jessica Alupo, ministries, Members of Parliament, and local leaders, all of whom praised Ms. Nabutono’s accomplishment as proof of the Parish Development Model’s transforming power.