President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has met with Kampala-based journalists in a dialogue aimed at boosting awareness and understanding of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other key government programs.
The meeting, held on Sunday at State Lodge Nakasero, focused on the implementation of the PDM, the welfare of media practitioners, and the inclusion of informal sector players in national development initiatives.
President Museveni commended the progress made under the PDM, describing it as a more efficient poverty alleviation program compared to earlier efforts like NAADS and Operation Wealth Creation.
“PDM has succeeded in moving Ugandans from subsistence farming into the money economy,” the President said.
“I’m happy the funds go straight to beneficiaries’ accounts. That minimizes leakages,” he added.
He criticized some local leaders for neglecting their responsibility to engage journalists in sensitizing the public about the PDM, warning that such gaps will no longer be tolerated.
The President also directed that street vendors and other small business operators in Kampala be included among PDM beneficiaries under the commerce category.
“PDM is a socio-economic empowerment tool. All entrepreneurial ideas that qualify should benefit,” President Museveni said.
To address concerns over loan defaults among urban beneficiaries, Museveni assured the audience that national identity cards provide a reliable system for tracking and accountability.
The President also addressed the longstanding land tenure challenges, especially in the Buganda region. He said the government is expediting the compensation of original mailo landowners to secure land rights for tenants.
“The colonialists gave land unfairly to collaborators. That’s the root of these historical land injustices,” he said.
On taxation, President Museveni dismissed allegations that government imposes harsh taxes on traders. He said higher tax rates apply mostly to luxury items and imports to protect local industries and strengthen the Ugandan shilling.
To support urban development, the President announced an increase in funding for ghetto-based SACCOS in Kampala to Shs1 billion each. He also promised enhanced PDM allocations to urban centers following a Cabinet review.
In a gesture of support to the journalism community, the President donated Shs100 million to the Kampala Journalists SACCO, an additional Shs60 million for land acquisition, and a van for group transport.
Journalists at the event expressed appreciation for the President’s support and the government’s countrywide campaign to promote the PDM.
The Minister of State for ICT, Joyce Ssebugwawo, praised the President’s contributions and acknowledged the financial constraints faced by many journalists.
“This support will improve the welfare of media professionals and help strengthen their economic resilience,” she said.
