When Deborah Namutebi received Shs1 million through the Parish Development Model (PDM), she knew it was her moment to rise out of poverty. Her story is a shining example of what focused investment and determination can achieve.
Namutebi, a resident of Lusenke Village in Gomba District, has grown a vibrant farm with 300 broiler chickens and 15 goats, all built from the Shs1 million government support. Her success captured national attention when President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni visited her home on June 16, 2025, as part of his Greater Mpigi tour to assess the progress of PDM in the region.
“I want to congratulate Namutebi and her dear husband for waking up and using the PDM money well to get out of poverty,” President Museveni said. “Every household must have a wealth creation activity. Once you have wealth in your home, others will be added unto you.”
Namutebi, a member of the Koome Kanoni PDM SACCO, had initially saved Shs500,000 in a bank to acquire a loan. But when she received the PDM funds, she changed course and built a poultry house instead.
“When I received the Shs1 million, I abandoned the idea of acquiring a loan. I added goats to my poultry project. I started with four; now I have 15,” she said. “Those who think Shs1 million is little do not know how to use it.”
Her small enterprise has turned into a reliable source of income, allowing her to support her family and pay school fees for her children. She now plans to expand to 2,000 chickens and purchase a milling machine to produce poultry feed that will also benefit others in her community.
President Museveni praised her enterprising spirit and compared her to the biblical good seed that fell on fertile soil.
“I want to thank Namutebi for becoming a good seed that bore fruit. She has become an example for others who will learn from her,” he said.
Moved by her success, the President pledged to support her further. He committed to buying her three acres of land to expand her enterprise, contributed Shs15 million — including Shs12 million for a tuk-tuk to ease transportation and Shs3.5 million to connect her home to electricity. He also gave Shs1 million to each of the ten PDM beneficiaries who attended the event.
Namutebi’s journey reflects the core aim of PDM: transforming Ugandans from subsistence to commercial livelihoods. Her story is not just about agriculture; it is a testament to resilience, planning, and belief in government support systems.
Speaking at the same event, President Museveni reminded the public that while development like roads and schools is for everyone, wealth creation is a personal responsibility.
“Development has been there for 60 years, but people are still poor,” he said. “When I came to Kisozi in 1990, there was no road or electricity—but I became rich because I had seen wealth, not just development.”
He emphasized the importance of ‘ekibaro’ — calculating viable enterprises that match one’s land size. The President noted that if Uganda utilized just 7 million of its 40 million acres effectively, the country could create over 100 million jobs — more than double its current population.
Namutebi’s story also drew praise from other leaders. Deputy NRM Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko applauded the President for increasing the PDM budget by Shs1 trillion to extend its reach.
So far, 130 PDM SACCOs in Greater Mpigi have received Shs33.4 billion, with Mpigi District getting Shs14.4 billion, Gomba Shs12.6 billion, and Butambala Shs6.4 billion.
At the same event, two local council chairpersons—Katamba Moses and Ssempijja Joseph—crossed from the National Unity Platform to the ruling NRM party, citing the success of programs like PDM.
President Museveni concluded his day by visiting other successful PDM beneficiaries, including Rashida Namubiru in Butambala and Hajji Muhammad Zziwa in Mpigi, whose integrated farm includes 2,000 layer chickens, coffee, bananas, and dairy cows.
As Uganda continues to roll out PDM nationwide, Namutebi’s story stands as proof that a modest investment — in the hands of a determined Ugandan — can spark a transformation that benefits not only a household, but a whole community.
