A total of two billion five hundred thirteen million six hundred seventeen thousand seven hundred sixty-six shillings only (2,513,617,766) in Kibuku District has been transferred to Parish Sacco’s accounts and paid to the beneficiaries.
This was disclosed during the Parish Development Model (PDM) engagement meeting with youth leaders, PWDs representatives and the Kibuku district technical staff organized by Action Aid Uganda which took place on August 8, 2023, at the district council chambers.
Micheal Mbayo the District Production Officer Kibuku District Local Government who also acts as the Parish Development Model (PDM) focal point person says with 2.5 billion shillings, a total of 2,365 were able to benefit One million shillings each.
Mbayo says the funds were distributed to various groups, benefiting 2,365 people. Notably, 711 women received 711,000,000 million shillings, 642 youth got 642,000,000 million shillings, 546 men were granted 546,000,000 million shillings, 240 elderly individuals received 240,000,000 million shillings, and 226 people with disabilities were given 226,000,000 million shillings.
The majority of the beneficiaries have taken agriculturally based trade enterprises. However, some beneficiaries still believed that the money was not enough. (I have received one million shillings and opted to do poultry but I have released that the money is not enough to enable us starry serious business” Ronald Guma a beneficiary said.
Mr Mbayo further confirmed that the district has received a second release of Seven billion seventy-five million shillings (7,075,000,000). “We Have so far received 7,075,000,000 million shillings 7,075,000,000=) and the Sacco groups are being informed that the money will be given out to the beneficiaries beginning next month,” Micheal Mbayo PDM focal point person said.
Nakamya Harriet the Resident District Commissioner Kibuku district urged the communities to embrace the program saying that it is the only way the government can rescue them from biting poverty.
“I have received complaints that some people don’t have national identity cards please I want to ask you to visit NIRA offices to get IDs because there is no way you can get PDM with the identity card. The money is still there that needs you to apply get this money and make proper use of it” RDC said.
The RDC turned bitter to Sacco executives whom she says extort money from beneficiaries as kickback and registration. “The money for PDM is free no one should ask you to pay for it. Thise who follow you for kick back please report them to my office” Disappointed RDC added.
Ali Kakaire the District Councilor Kibuku TC appeals government to come up with another mechanism for distributing monitory the PDM program. He notes that most people in the district are missing cash as a result of conditions set by the officials.
“The PDM project is now failing to get the local person down in the village because the money involves too much paperwork that fails people who are not educated since the cost becomes high for them to afford. I think government should follow and see who are the beneficiaries not just carrying figures” Kakaire said.
Grace Nyaguti the Psychosocial Officer with Action Aid says the meeting was organized purposely to hear from the youth leaders on how the youth are benefiting from PDM. She notes that the youth have a percentage in the PDM cash but it’s disturbing to hear that most youth have not applied for the money.
Nyaguti says the meeting was carried out in both Pallisa and Kibuku districts as she appealed to the technical staff to support the beneficiaries. “I want to ask the technical team of both Pallisa and Kibuku place guide the people so they can invest this money into productive ventures’ she said.
The Parish Development Model is premised on the model that the Parish Development Committee (PDC) together with common citizens as the end users of social services are better placed to identify and respond to their own needs, priorities, and direct use of resources.
