National Resistance Movement (NRM) Treasurer, Ambassador Hon. Barbara Nekesa, has urged beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) to use the funds strictly for productive investments and desist from spending the money on smartphones and other non-essential items.
Nekesa made the remarks over the weekend during a visit to Waswa Farm in Mayombe Village, Busia District, where she interacted with farmers and inspected agricultural activities supported under the PDM programme.
She emphasized that PDM funds are intended to help households move out of poverty through agriculture, small enterprises and other income-generating activities, rather than financing consumer goods.
“PDM money is not for buying smartphones. It is meant to create wealth and fight poverty at the household level,” Nekesa said.
She warned that diverting the funds to non-productive activities could undermine the objectives of the programme and deny genuine beneficiaries an opportunity to improve their livelihoods.
Nekesa commended President Yoweri Museveni for initiating the Parish Development Model, describing it as a deliberate strategy to address household poverty by providing capital to ordinary Ugandans at the parish level.
She said the success of the programme largely depends on beneficiaries using the funds for their intended purpose.
The NRM Treasurer noted that some beneficiaries have been diverting PDM funds to purchase items that do not generate income, a practice she said could contribute to the failure of the programme in some areas.
She called on local leaders, parish chiefs and community monitors to strengthen supervision and ensure that the funds are invested in productive ventures such as farming, livestock, poultry and small businesses.
During her visit to Waswa Farm, Nekesa encouraged farmers to prioritize investments capable of generating returns and creating sustainable economic benefits for their households.
Officials accompanying the NRM Treasurer reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the Parish Development Model as one of its key poverty reduction initiatives.
They stressed that proper accountability, adherence to programme guidelines and responsible utilisation of funds are essential for the PDM to achieve its objective of transforming households at the grassroots level.
Nekesa’s remarks come as the government continues to strengthen accountability and monitoring mechanisms aimed at ensuring that PDM funds are used for wealth creation and reach their intended beneficiaries.
