Funds disbursed under the Parish Development Model (PDM) are transforming the economic landscape of Kabarole District, Western Uganda, where individuals previously confined to subsistence farming are now stepping into a brighter financial future. This innovative initiative, launched in the financial year 2021/2022, has empowered many households to transition into a middle-income economy, with some residents reporting earnings exceeding one million shillings per month. The PDM is not just a financial program; it represents the Government of Uganda’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of its citizens by delivering services at the parish level, thereby fostering local economic development.
Since its inception, Kabarole District has received a substantial allocation of 18,775,426,540 shillings, which has been disbursed over the financial years 2021/2022 to 2025/2026.
According to Muzoora Kenneth, the District PDM Focal Person, this funding has directly benefited 18,654 households across 52 parishes, marking a significant stride toward poverty alleviation.
The initiative has led to the establishment of 968 enterprise groups and 260 enterprises, averaging five enterprises per parish. These ventures encompass a variety of agricultural activities, including vegetable farming, goat rearing, dairy production, and pig farming. The success stories emerging from these enterprises are a testament to the program’s effectiveness.
Muzoora emphasizes the importance of operational structures, stating, “100% of the SACCOs have operational offices that enable them to conduct periodic meetings to facilitate the development of strategies to sustain and institutionalize PDM at the parish level.”
Muzoora reported that the district team has intensified mobilization efforts to create awareness about the program, encouraging more residents to participate and benefit from the available resources.
Among the many beneficiaries of the PDM are Michael Ahebwa and his mother, Rose Kezabu, from Kyamasongi in Busoro Town Council. Their story exemplifies the transformative power of this initiative. Kezabu applied for a loan of one million shillings, added two million of her own, and purchased a pregnant heifer for three million shillings. In just two years, their investment has yielded remarkable results: the heifer has produced two calves, with the older calf already pregnant.
Ahebwa, a young advocate for the PDM, encourages his peers to embrace the program, stating, “As a family, we are earning big from the PDM. If the youth join and utilize the funds properly, there is no doubt that we can achieve a higher income economy by 2030.” His optimism reflects the broader sentiment among beneficiaries who see the PDM as a viable pathway out of poverty.