Kapelebyong Leaders Urged To Guide Communities In Wealth Creation Efforts

The Acting Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Brigadier General Godfrey Muwanguzi, has urged local government leaders in Kapelebyong District to take on mentoring roles within their communities to ensure the effective execution of government-backed wealth creation programmes, particularly the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Speaking to district officials, Brig Gen Muwanguzi emphasised the importance of leaders understanding the progress of the PDM and actively engaging disadvantaged community members to participate in the initiative, which is designed to boost livelihoods and eliminate poverty.

He reiterated the government’s dedication to eradicating poverty through the PDM, highlighting a financial injection of more than UGX 14.55 billion into Kapelebyong. “Leaders must adhere to the PDM implementation guidelines issued by the Ministry of Local Government to achieve the programme’s objectives,” he said.

Kapelebyong Chief Administrative Officer, Mrs Oroma Rhoda, acknowledged the impact of government interventions, noting the district’s marked improvement in national performance rankings—from 176^th in the 2021/2022 financial year to 56^th in 2023/2024. She credited the progress to programmes such as the PDM. “Many farmers have transitioned from subsistence farming to commercial and mechanised agriculture,” she said.

Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Ojirot Emmy, commended the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) for their role in promoting socioeconomic transformation through OWC. He highlighted the military’s contribution to regional stability and development coordination, which, he said, has resulted in improved infrastructure and rising household incomes.

Ojirot also pointed to the success of the Parish Revolving Funds. “Many residents can now meet their basic needs, a stark contrast to their situation before the PDM was introduced,” he noted.

Mr Okello Francis Xavier, the district’s Principal Commercial Officer, reported that over 14,150 beneficiaries across 55 parishes have received support from the UGX 14.55 billion allocated under the PDM, achieving a disbursement rate of 97 per cent.

Brig Gen Muwanguzi is currently touring eastern Uganda to assess the rollout of government wealth creation initiatives, with a particular focus on the implementation of the PDM’s seven strategic pillars.