Coffee farming inspired PDM funding plan, Museveni reveals

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President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that the idea behind the Parish Development Model (PDM) funding was inspired by the requirements of coffee farming, specifically, the cost of planting an acre of Robusta coffee.

While meeting journalists from the Rwenzori sub-region at the State Lodge in Fort Portal, Museveni said the PDM is not a new concept but rather a continuation of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government's longstanding commitment to eradicate poverty.

“The programme of PDM is part of our philosophy from the 1960s. We didn’t believe that we should have poor people in our country... It was our ideological position that we should not have poor people,” the President said.

He explained that the current disbursement of sh1m per household was based on a practical example—what it would cost to plant an acre of coffee. At the time the plan was formulated, an acre required 450 Robusta seedlings.

“At that time, to plant an acre of coffee, you needed 450 Robusta seedlings. You needed sh180,000, which would leave the borrower with sh820,000 for other things like digging holes, etc. So that was our reference point at that time. But we can add on. What we want is people to get out of money-less-ness and get money,” he said.

Museveni interacting with Rwenzori region journalists. (PPU)

Museveni is currently touring the region to monitor the implementation and impact of the PDM.

He acknowledged concerns that sh1m may not be sufficient, especially for groups like fishermen, and assured that additional support is in the pipeline.

“They need more than sh1m, they need at least sh4m minimum why? Because they need to buy boats, nets and they are expensive,” the President said.

He added that the PDM will be implemented in stages, starting with the most vulnerable, and eventually reach those with small means of income.

“So, once we cover those who owned nothing, then we shall now move to those who own something but small. It is just the beginning, the program is continuous, if it runs for 15 years, all those parishes will be totally transformed and the money will be there because it is revolving,” he said.

Museveni traced the evolution of anti-poverty interventions under his administration, beginning with Entandikwa, then NAADS, followed by Operation Wealth Creation, and now the PDM.

“The difference with PDM is that its beneficiaries get the money directly through their SACCOS. This is different from the others, where the government people were the ones deciding who to get. So this is just the beginning,” he explained.

He cited individuals who have benefited from the programme, including Pelucy Biira, a 65-year-old blind woman from Kasese, and Steven Kisembo from Ntoroko, whose livelihoods have improved thanks to PDM funding.

Addressing infrastructure issues, Museveni attributed poor rural roads to ineffective local government planning, stating that increased funds have been allocated for road maintenance.

“It used to be sh300m, we have added another billion, so it is now sh1.3b, and if the money is not enough, we shall add,” he said.

The President also supported a proposal to provide parish chiefs with computers and reiterated his directive against any deductions from PDM funds.

“Nobody will be allowed to deduct PDM money; anybody who deducts will go to jail,” he warned.

He urged citizens to avoid settling on mountain slopes and called for environmental conservation as part of efforts to combat climate change.

To conclude the meeting, Museveni pledged sh100m and a minibus to support the SACCO of journalists from the Rwenzori sub-region.