President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Uganda Police Force to implement a new policing strategy that deploys 18 officers per sub-county, supported by sniffer dogs and motorcycles, to strengthen crime response and improve security across rural Uganda.
Speaking on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, as he began his assessment tour of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Greater Luwero, Museveni said the lack of effective policing undermines the success of poverty alleviation programs.
“This theft is a nuisance, and it must stop. The things to stop it are there, but they are not used,” the President said. “They [police] must mobilize and sensitize the people to handle the crime scenes.”
The President warned that scattering police officers without a clear operational system would not improve security. He emphasized the need for swift response, reliable communication, and use of sniffer dogs.
“To protect all Ugandans, we only need speed, a communication system, and sniffer dogs to follow up the thieves,” he said.
Museveni visited several PDM beneficiaries in the districts of Luwero, Nakaseke, and Nakasongola to evaluate the program's progress. At the home of Hajjat Mariam Bayega in Sekamuli parish, Luwero District, he praised her diversified farming efforts, which include poultry, dairy, coffee, and matooke.
“I have seen the chicken, the cows, the coffee, the matooke, and everything they do here. What they’re doing here is very good, and I congratulate them,” he said.
Museveni supported Bayega’s project with Shs 12 million to purchase dairy cows, a four-wheel double-cabin vehicle for transport, and a solar-powered water system for irrigation.
“I want her to begin irrigation, and we will see the benefits. I will send you a solar-powered system,” he added.
Hajjat Bayega told the President that her family earns Shs 37 million annually from their farming activities. However, she cited insecurity as a key challenge after the local police station in Ssekanyonyi was relocated.
At a community gathering, Museveni gave Shs 1 million each to 10 PDM beneficiaries in Sekamuli parish. He also donated Shs 5 million to support the village mosque and another Shs 5 million to the Anglican bishop of Luwero.
Earlier in Wobulenzi, the President visited Damali Nakayenga, a PDM beneficiary who runs a poultry and piggery project. He commended her efforts and pledged Shs 30 million—Shs 20 million to expand her enterprise and Shs 10 million to upgrade her poultry structures.
Nakayenga, who received initial PDM funding of Shs 1 million, expressed gratitude to the government for enabling grassroots empowerment. She said the 6% interest rate on PDM loans had allowed beneficiaries like her to invest in income-generating activities.
“I thank the government for making financing accessible. The PDM has allowed many of us to transform our lives,” she said.
As of May 6, 2025, a total of Shs 61.716 billion had been disbursed to 240 PDM SACCOs in Greater Luwero. Luwero District received Shs 25.972 billion, Nakaseke Shs 18.257 billion, and Nakasongola Shs 17.486 billion.
According to the 2024 Uganda Bureau of Statistics census, Greater Luwero has a population of 1,093,714 spread across 48 sub-counties, 241 parishes, and 1,428 villages.
In response to concerns about vendors operating in wetlands, President Museveni ordered the relocation of Kikoma roadside market in Wobulenzi Town Council. He committed to purchasing land for a new site and tasked NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja with overseeing the project.
Museveni reiterated that the PDM remains central to the National Resistance Movement’s goal of integrating all Ugandans into the money economy.
“Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every Ugandan is actively involved in their socio-economic transformation,” he said.
He also clarified the distinction between development and wealth creation, stating that while development is the government’s role, wealth creation depends on individual initiative.
President Museveni’s tour reflects a renewed push to align security systems and poverty eradication efforts, as the government works to uplift livelihoods and ensure national stability.
