President Museveni Calls for stringent measures against the misuse of PDM and Emyooga funds during Teso Tour
During his address to Teso leaders in Kumi on November 19, 2024, as part of his Teso Tour, President Museveni issued a stern warning to the leaders and beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Teso, urging them to refrain from misappropriating the funds designated for community development.
Emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards those found guilty of embezzling or misusing PDM funds, President Museveni asserted that individuals involved in such activities should not be granted police bond or court bail.
He stated, “I will engage with the chief magistrate to ensure that individuals who have misappropriated funds from PDM are not granted bail.”
President Museveni disclosed that the Government Internal Security Officers (GISOs) had provided him with names and details of individuals who had been apprehended for misappropriation and subsequently released on police bond.
He instructed Damalie Nachuha, the Regional Police Commander East Kyoga, to refrain from granting police bond to individuals implicated in the misappropriation of PDM funds.
“The Parish Development Model aims to uplift the underprivileged but some unscrupulous individuals are exploiting it for personal gain, a situation that I, as the Commander in Chief, will not tolerate,” President Museveni reiterated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to allocating one hundred million shillings per Parish every financial year.
In addition to the government’s anti-poverty initiatives, President Museveni encouraged the people of Teso to prioritize agriculture for the betterment of their families and the region, steering clear of unproductive ventures.
Reflecting on Palisa’s history as a prominent cotton-producing community in the region, he highlighted the shift from cotton cultivation due to its lack of profitability.
He recalled facing criticism from individuals from South Africa for advocating the cultivation of more lucrative crops, emphasizing his dedication to uplifting his people from poverty.
President Museveni is set to conclude his Teso tour by assessing the success of PDM in Kaberamaido tomorrow, reiterating the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating poverty among Ugandans.
The Parish Development Model, a government initiative, aims to elevate communities from poverty through financial inclusion and economic empowerment, showing significant progress in Teso by focusing on wealth creation, employment opportunities, and increased household incomes.
Structured around seven core pillars including production, financial inclusion, and infrastructure development, the PDM initiative is designed to transition subsistence households into the realm of monetary economy.
