Over 55,000 Sironko Residents Lifted By Parish Development Model

Sironko District has recorded substantial progress under the Parish Development Model (PDM), with 55,075 individuals benefitting from the initiative since its inception.

The figures were revealed during a stakeholder engagement at the district headquarters, chaired by Brig Gen Godfrey Muwanguzi, Acting Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).

Speaking to local government leaders and SACCO executives, Brig Gen Muwanguzi underscored the need for patriotism and adherence to the Ministry of Local Government’s implementation guidelines. “The Ministry has outlined clear roles for each level of government. I urge you to be patriotic and apply these guidelines diligently,” he said.

He likened the Parish Revolving Funds to community banks, urging stakeholders to manage them responsibly and strictly in line with PDM protocols.

Sironko, which hosts Uganda’s highest number of parishes—224 across Budadiri East and Budadiri West, covering 1,545 villages—has seen this extensive reach play a pivotal role in its high level of PDM participation. Chief Administrative Officer Mr Nelson Kidera credited this breadth for the district’s progress and praised OWC coordinators for their dedication. “Their commitment has been vital in delivering services to the community,” he remarked.

District Production Officer Dr Patrick Charles Okori reported that Sironko has received UGX 57.79 billion through the Parish Revolving Fund, with a disbursement rate of 95.29%. The funds have supported 1,692 enterprise groups engaged in agriculture and livestock, including coffee, dairy, bananas, horticulture, piggery, poultry, and fishing.

However, Dr Okori acknowledged persistent challenges affecting full implementation. These include data discrepancies between the Parish-Based Management Information System (PDMIS) and the Financial Inclusion System (FIS), manipulation of beneficiary lists by certain Parish Development Committees, corruption among some SACCO leaders, and difficulties in accessing remote areas.

Despite these issues, SACCO executives commended the government for simplifying the application process. They noted that acquiring PDM funds now requires only a national ID, in contrast to the burdensome procedures previously associated with bank loans.

The PDM, launched by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in February 2022, aims to transition 33% of Ugandan households from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. Each eligible household receives UGX 1 million to invest in income-generating agricultural activities.

After the meeting, Brig Gen Muwanguzi, accompanied by district technical officials, visited selected beneficiaries to observe how the funds are being utilised at the grassroots.