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Museveni tasks leaders on monitoring PDM Funds
Museveni warned government that officials, who fail to oversee government programmes despite being paid by taxpayers, could face accountability measures.
President Yoweri Museveni said complaints about stolen PDM money frequently overshadowed his campaign activities ahead of the January 15, 2026, elections. (Photo by Maria Wamala)
By: Mary Karugaba, Journalist @New Vision
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With over sh11 trillion government funds allocated to wealth creation programmes, President Yoweri Museveni has directed political and administrative leaders at all levels to closely monitor the implementation of the programmes.
Speaking after the presentation of the 2026/27 national budget at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds today (June 11), Museveni expressed concern over persistent reports of theft and mismanagement of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in several parts of the country.
He warned government that officials, who fail to oversee government programmes despite being paid by taxpayers, could face accountability measures.
The President said complaints about stolen PDM money frequently overshadowed his campaign activities ahead of the January 15, 2026, elections.
“During the campaigns, I was disturbing the former Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, ringing him. I would go to campaign and instead of campaigning, people were saying, ‘They stole our PDM money.’ I would then get off campaigns, and it becomes like a PDM tour,” Museveni said.
He cited districts including Maracha, Kween and parts of Kampala, particularly Kawempe and Bwaise, where beneficiaries alleged that PDM funds had been diverted.
Museveni wondered why elected leaders such as Members of Parliament (MPs), Local Council (LC) III chairpersons and councillors were not actively monitoring the programme, noting that public officials have a duty to ensure that government resources reach intended beneficiaries.
“What is the MP doing, even the opposition ones? As long as you are getting allowances from Parliament and you don’t go to check what is happening, I will ask the Attorney General to see how I can deal with you also,” he said.
He argued that political differences should not be used as an excuse for neglecting government programmes, stressing that initiatives such as PDM are designed to benefit citizens regardless of their political affiliation.
“During the campaigns, I was disturbing the former Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, ringing him. I would go to campaign and instead of campaigning, people were saying, ‘They stole our PDM money.’ I would then get off campaigns, and it becomes like a PDM tour,” Museveni said.
He cited districts including Maracha, Kween and parts of Kampala, particularly Kawempe and Bwaise, where beneficiaries alleged that PDM funds had been diverted.
Museveni wondered why elected leaders such as Members of Parliament (MPs), Local Council (LC) III chairpersons and councillors were not actively monitoring the programme, noting that public officials have a duty to ensure that government resources reach intended beneficiaries.
“What is the MP doing, even the opposition ones? As long as you are getting allowances from Parliament and you don’t go to check what is happening, I will ask the Attorney General to see how I can deal with you also,” he said.
He argued that political differences should not be used as an excuse for neglecting government programmes, stressing that initiatives such as PDM are designed to benefit citizens regardless of their political affiliation.
“Some of the opposition members say they do it maliciously; that the programmes should not work so that NRM (National Resistance Movement) is blamed. That is not good enough because these programmes are not for NRM; they are for your own people,” Museveni said.
The President noted that Uganda already has an extensive governance structure comprising MPs, district and sub-county leaders, councillors and civil servants whose responsibility includes monitoring public service delivery.
“The drugs in health centres, justice, corruption, security, law and order, the structure of leadership is there. MPs for every constituency, LC III chairpersons for every sub-county, those are paid people. They must monitor,” he said.
Museveni appealed to leaders to encourage Ugandans, who are still producing for eating, to join the money economy.
Oil economy
Museveni also revealed that Uganda expects substantial revenues from the petroleum sector once commercial oil production begins, estimating that government could earn an additional $1.5 billion (sh5.6 trillion) annually from its share of oil proceeds.
He said government plans to establish a sovereign wealth fund to safeguard part of the oil revenues for future generations while allowing some of the money to finance strategic infrastructure projects.
“The Government will be getting an extra $1.5 billion per year as its share of the Government money. We shall discuss how to save this money, first of all to create a sovereign fund so that it can earn money,” he said.
Drawing lessons from Norway, Museveni said Uganda should avoid wasteful expenditure and instead invest oil revenues prudently.
“Some countries like Norway have used their oil money very well. Instead of using it to buy perfumes and whiskies, they put their money somewhere and it is gaining interest,” he added.
According to the President, priority investments could include regional railway networks linking Uganda to Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Rwanda, as well as petroleum pipelines to lower transportation costs and improve competitiveness.
Calls for environmental protection
Museveni also defended government efforts to remove encroachers from wetlands, road reserves and other protected areas, arguing that environmental conservation is essential for Uganda’s long-term survival.
Using the analogy of the human body, the President said every part of the environment has a specific role and should not be misused.
“The road is for vehicles and motorcycles. The sidewalks are for pedestrians. The swamp is for water. It is not for cultivation or settlement,” he pointed out.
The President blamed wetland degradation and forest encroachment for increasing environmental and public health risks, including the emergence of diseases such as Ebola.
“What was sustaining us were our swamps and forests. Now you want to destroy that, and you say you are a Ugandan?” he wondered.
Museveni urged leaders and the public to support conservation efforts and avoid what he described as “cheap politics” that encourages illegal occupation of wetlands, road reserves and other protected ecosystems.
The President noted that Uganda already has an extensive governance structure comprising MPs, district and sub-county leaders, councillors and civil servants whose responsibility includes monitoring public service delivery.
“The drugs in health centres, justice, corruption, security, law and order, the structure of leadership is there. MPs for every constituency, LC III chairpersons for every sub-county, those are paid people. They must monitor,” he said.
Museveni appealed to leaders to encourage Ugandans, who are still producing for eating, to join the money economy.
Oil economy
Museveni also revealed that Uganda expects substantial revenues from the petroleum sector once commercial oil production begins, estimating that government could earn an additional $1.5 billion (sh5.6 trillion) annually from its share of oil proceeds.
He said government plans to establish a sovereign wealth fund to safeguard part of the oil revenues for future generations while allowing some of the money to finance strategic infrastructure projects.
“The Government will be getting an extra $1.5 billion per year as its share of the Government money. We shall discuss how to save this money, first of all to create a sovereign fund so that it can earn money,” he said.
Drawing lessons from Norway, Museveni said Uganda should avoid wasteful expenditure and instead invest oil revenues prudently.
“Some countries like Norway have used their oil money very well. Instead of using it to buy perfumes and whiskies, they put their money somewhere and it is gaining interest,” he added.
According to the President, priority investments could include regional railway networks linking Uganda to Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Rwanda, as well as petroleum pipelines to lower transportation costs and improve competitiveness.
Calls for environmental protection
Museveni also defended government efforts to remove encroachers from wetlands, road reserves and other protected areas, arguing that environmental conservation is essential for Uganda’s long-term survival.
Using the analogy of the human body, the President said every part of the environment has a specific role and should not be misused.
“The road is for vehicles and motorcycles. The sidewalks are for pedestrians. The swamp is for water. It is not for cultivation or settlement,” he pointed out.
The President blamed wetland degradation and forest encroachment for increasing environmental and public health risks, including the emergence of diseases such as Ebola.
“What was sustaining us were our swamps and forests. Now you want to destroy that, and you say you are a Ugandan?” he wondered.
Museveni urged leaders and the public to support conservation efforts and avoid what he described as “cheap politics” that encourages illegal occupation of wetlands, road reserves and other protected ecosystems.