Don’t lose PDM's golden chance, Museveni tells Ugandans
The President says he started the fight against poverty in the 1960s and he has come up with various poverty alleviation programmes to ensure that his dream is realised.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni admiring the diary cows of Muhereza Wako a Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiary in the presence of his wife Esseza Mirembe during the Presidential PDM assessment tour of the Greater Mukono. Muhereza Wako ventured in Dairy farming and operates a cassava milling machine on one acre in the village called Buyego cell, Buvuma Town council, Buvuma Sub-County in Buvuma district. (Photos by PPU/ Tony Rujuta.)
By New Vision Journalist
Journalists @New Vision
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The Parish Development Model (PDM) programme is a golden opportunity for Ugandan households to eradicate poverty, President Yoweri Museveni has said.
The President says he started the fight against poverty in the 1960s and he has come up with various poverty alleviation programmes to ensure that his dream is realised.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni delivers his speech at the home of Muhereza Wako a Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiary during the Presidential PDM assessment tour of the Greater Mukono. Muhereza Wako ventured in Dairy farming and operates a cassava milling machine on one acre in the village called Buyego cell, Buvuma Town council, Buvuma Sub-County in Buvuma district. 
“Don’t lose this chance because it’s a big support to you. Wako, who was poor, is now a rich man. He is blessed now with three cows and a milling machine because his family embraced the PDM programme. I know that we are not all equal, but when you embrace the PDM programme, you will eradicate poverty in your households,” he said.
President Museveni made the remarks on June 19, 2025, during his PDM assessment tour at Muwereza Wako‘s farm at Buyego cell, Buvuma sub-county in Buvuma district.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a group photo with Muhereza Wako a Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiary and his family during the Presidential PDM assessment tour of the Greater Mukono. Muhereza Wako ventured in Dairy farming and operates a cassava milling machine on one acre in the village called Buyego cell, Buvuma Town council, Buvuma Sub-County in Buvuma district. 
Wako, a PDM beneficiary, owns three cows and a milling machine.
The President, who was pleased to visit Wako’s farm, said the Government has for years been sending resources to the public to curb poverty, but in one way or another, some government officials have been mismanaging it.
President Museveni, however, narrated that the Government now gives each parish shillings 100 million annually and in his next five-year term in office, each parish will have received shillings 500 million.
He revealed that the first batch, which received shillings one million PDM money each, two years ago, will return it to their parishes with an interest of shillings 120,000, to give a chance to other adults to benefit.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a group photo some of the Parish Development Model (PDM) famers from Buvuma district during the Presidential PDM assessment tour of the Greater Mukono in the village called Buyego cell, Buvuma Town council, Buvuma Sub-County in Buvuma district. 
The President supported Wako with shilings 12 million to purchase an acre of land at 10 million and use the two million to buy livestock like goats and pigs.
In response, Wako commended the President for initiating the PDM programme that has enabled a section of Ugandans to improve their standard of living through wealth creation.
He asserted that he was so poor to an extent that he couldn’t afford food for his family, but currently, he is called a rich man.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni tour the home of Muhereza Wako a Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiary and his wife Esseza Mirembe during the Presidential PDM assessment tour of the Greater Mukono. Muhereza Wako ventured in Dairy farming and operates a cassava milling machine on one acre in the village called Buyego cell, Buvuma Town council, Buvuma Sub-County in Buvuma district.
Wako and his wife Mirembe Eseza, together with their eight children, live on half an acre of land and according to the farmer, the PDM money has enabled him to add value to his family through wealth creation.
He said on June 21, 2023, he received shillings one million PDM cash and after the bank charges, he remained with 980,000.
Wako noted that using the PDM money, he added some of his savings to buy a bull and a cow which conceived and gave birth to a calf in May 2024.
During the same month, he sold a bull at one million and used it to purchase an old milling machine at shillings 2.5 million.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni welcomed home of Muhereza Wako a Parish Development Model (PDM) beneficiary during the Presidential PDM assessment tour of the Greater Mukono. Muhereza Wako ventured in Dairy farming and operates a cassava milling machine on one acre in the village called Buyego cell, Buvuma Town council, Buvuma Sub-County in Buvuma district. 
Wako explained that the machine seller allowed him to clear his remaining balance of shillings 1.5 million in instalments. He asserted that he started using the machine, which fetched him money to clear the balance.
The PDM beneficiary revealed that the milling machine earns him shilling 15,000 every day, after deducting shillings 5,000 for fuel, thus remaining with shillings 10,000 and he earns a total of 300,000 per month. The dairy cow gives him 3 litres of milk.
He sells two litres at shillings 1,000 each and earns a total of shillings 60,000 per month. The cow dung and urine is used as fertilisers in his garden.