Minister for the Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda has called on Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiaries in Buyende District to invest government funds in productive enterprises that can increase household incomes and create sustainable wealth.
Babalanda, who is also the Budiope West Member of Parliament, made the remarks during a PDM monitoring and assessment visit to Iringa West Parish in Nkondo Sub-County, where she engaged beneficiaries and local leaders on the progress of the programme.
The minister said PDM remains one of President Yoweri Museveni’s flagship initiatives for transforming households from subsistence livelihoods into the money economy. She urged beneficiaries to treat the funds as an opportunity to improve their economic wellbeing rather than as money for immediate consumption.
Babalanda warned against misusing the funds on activities that do not generate income, humorously cautioning men against using PDM money to marry additional wives. She instead encouraged beneficiaries to invest in enterprises capable of generating regular income and improving their families’ living standards.
She also tasked district technical officers, political leaders and PDM SACCO leaders with providing beneficiaries with effective guidance, monitoring and accountability. According to Babalanda, support in areas such as agricultural practices, poultry, small-scale trade, record keeping and access to markets is critical if the programme is to achieve its intended objectives.
The minister commended Buyende District’s technical team for its role in implementing PDM and urged officials to strengthen follow-up so that beneficiaries receive the necessary training and support. She said the government is focusing on fighting corruption while accelerating efforts to eradicate household poverty.
In line with the President’s wealth-creation agenda, Babalanda encouraged residents to establish manageable backyard projects. She proposed poultry farming for egg production among Muslim and SDA households and piggery for other households, saying such ventures can provide additional income and help families become economically self-reliant.
Babalanda said her visit to Nkondo was only part of a wider assessment exercise and pledged to continue moving across Buyende District to evaluate PDM implementation. She also invited residents to attend her thanksgiving ceremony on September 4 at Iringa Township Primary School, where she plans to give thanks for her victory in this year’s political engagements.
