Experts dealing with economic transformation from subsistence agriculture to commercial farming in Makerere University say people who work two to three hours a day cannot come out of poverty.

Veterinary officer Dr Joshua Isiko, one of the technocrats who science and technology minister Dr Monica Musenero brought to build capacity and ensure that the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme succeeds in Bukedi region, said for PDM to transform people from subsistence farming to the money economy, beneficiaries needed to adjust the time of work from three hours daily to at least 10 hours.

The residents are also encouraged to avoid clustering in trading centres at times meant for production.

Dr Joshua Isiko used sticks to demonstrate poverty  

Isiko, while meeting PDM committees and stakeholders in the Pallisa district counties of Kibale, Pallisa, Agule and Gogonyo, preached the same gospel. They said most people returning from their gardens at 9:00 am spend all the other nine hours of the day unproductively.

"I love the spirit of the residents of the regions of Sebei, Bugishu, Buganda, and western Uganda. They carry breakfast to their gardens and have it at 10:00 am.

After which they continue with their work till evening. However, in Bukedi, people claim the sun is hot. That is complete laziness and if you don't accept to change your mindset, poverty will turn to become your culture," Isiko told the stakeholders.

Asamo and Pallisa MPs at Kapuwai Ps meeting

Vegetables from Bugisu

State minister for people with disabilities, Hellen Grace Asamo, who is assigned to oversee PDM implementation in the districts of Pallisa and Budaka, said she was shocked to find out that all the vegetables sold in Pallisa are brought from Bugisu.

Asamo said Bukedi is where men call their MPs to help them meet even the requirements needed when their wives are set to give birth. 

She challenged the parish chiefs to ensure the identified PDM beneficiaries do not mishandle the funds.