RUBIRIZI – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the people of Rubirizi district for effectively utilizing the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds. During his performance assessment zonal tour in Ankole subregion, Museveni praised the district’s residents, saying:
“I want to thank the people of this area for utilizing the PDM money well. We shall continue adding you more money every year. The money belongs to you through your Parish SACCO,” Museveni said.
Museveni’s remarks were made during a visit to the farm of Mrs. Tumusiime Desirata, a beneficiary of the PDM project in Kizurugo village. He emphasized the importance of wealth creation, a message he has been spreading since the 1960s.
“When we came into power from the bush, we started from where we stopped. We said in our 1996 NRM Manifesto that every home with limited land of 4 acres, they could grow coffee in one acre, in the second acre they grow fruits, in the third acre they grow pasture for dairy cows, then in the fourth acre they grow food crops. In the backyard they can rear poultry for eggs, piggery and fish farming for those near the swamps,” Museveni explained.
He highlighted the need for Ugandans to adopt commercial farming practices to improve their household incomes. Museveni also attributed Africa’s underdevelopment to poor leadership, stating that some leaders fail to advise their people properly.
“A politician is like a medical doctor, he diagnoses the patient, finds the disease and prescribes the medicine. If he wrongly diagnosed the patient, the prescription will also be wrong and the patient may die,” Museveni said.
“That’s the problem with Africa, it has bad leaders who don’t advise their people and offer them wrong prescriptions, they give them wrong prescriptions that kill them,” he added.
Museveni cautioned against politics of identity based on tribe and religion, emphasizing the need for unity and inclusive development.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, thanked Museveni for initiating poverty alleviation programs like the PDM, which has benefited Ankole subregion.
“We are grateful for the PDM initiative, which has improved the lives of many Ugandans. Ankole has greatly benefited from the PDM, and all the districts in the subregion have received their fair share,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa challenged leaders in their respective districts to emulate Museveni and take personal initiative to supervise the Parish Development Model.
“We urge all leaders to take keen interest in the PDM and ensure that its core goal is achieved. The President has always emphasized the need for exemplary leadership from all leaders across the board in ensuring socio-economic transformation of the people,” Tayebwa said.
Mrs. Tumusiime Desirata, a beneficiary of the PDM project, thanked Museveni for the initiative, saying it has improved her life and that of her family.
“I received Shs1 million PDM fund in May 2023, which I used to buy pigs and other livestock. The pigs have since multiplied, and I now have a wider source of income. All the things I have now are because of you, Your Excellency,” Mrs. Tumusiime said.
Museveni contributed Shs 10 million to Mrs. Tumusiime to expand her enterprise.
From Rubirizi, Museveni proceeded to Karyango cell, Kagongi Parish Kyangyenyi sub-county, Sheema district, where he toured Pamoja Mixed farm, an enterprise owned by Ms. Abenawe Honest Bamanyisha.
Ms. Abenawe, a retired civil servant, started farming in 2016 on 2 acres, dealing in banana plantations and 2 heifers to get money and food for family consumption. Since then, she has never looked back. Now she has a banana plantation on 6 acres, zero-grazing of 20 heifers, a coffee plantation, and fishponds.
Ms. Abenawe employs 30 people on her farm. She expressed gratitude to Museveni for preaching the wealth creation message to Ugandans and urged citizens to practice commercial farming to improve their household incomes.
Museveni pledged a contribution of 10 heifers and a Canter truck to Ms. Abenawe.
Sheema North Member of Parliament, Hon. Naome Kibaaju, requested Museveni to help them tarmac the Bwizibwera-Nyakambu Kabwohe-Kitagata-Rukungiri road, upgrade the Kitagata Hospital to a Regional Hospital, and extend electricity to rural areas.
