During the 39th Liberation Day celebrations in Mubende District, President Yoweri Museveni directed banks to cease deducting charges from the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds. He emphasized that beneficiaries must receive the full Shs1 million allocated to them without any reductions.
The President expressed his displeasure upon discovering that banks were withholding a portion of the funds intended for Ugandans. He tasked Mubende’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Peter Ruhweeza, with providing an account of how the PDM funds were being utilized and sought clarification on whether beneficiaries had received their full entitlements.
Museveni stressed that the government had invested significantly in the Parish Development Model to boost the economy and demanded an explanation for why beneficiaries were not receiving the full amount. Ruhweeza reported that Mubende District had received Shs16.4 billion, which had been transferred to Parish SACCOs for distribution. However, he acknowledged that banks were deducting funds, though he did not specify the exact amounts.
When Fred Kisaakye, the PDM focal person for Mubende, was asked to provide details, he disclosed that banks were deducting Shs4,000 per transaction under an initiative called “WEENDI.” This left beneficiaries with Shs996,000 instead of the full Shs1 million.
This revelation angered local residents, who accused officials of dishonesty. In response, President Museveni ordered an immediate investigation into the matter and instructed his security team to document complaints from the public. He declared the deductions illegal and demanded that they cease immediately, assuring that the government would cover any charges to ensure beneficiaries received their full amount. This announcement was met with cheers from the crowd.
Museveni reassured residents of his commitment to improving their livelihoods and promised to return to Mubende to offer further guidance on poverty eradication. The Parish Development Model, a key initiative aimed at economically empowering Ugandans, is central to the government’s efforts to transform rural communities. The President’s firm stance on ensuring its full implementation highlights his dedication to addressing grassroots concerns.
As investigations proceed, the directive to halt deductions is expected to restore confidence in the program, ensuring that funds reach the intended beneficiaries without any interference.