PDM not a political tool—PS Kakande

______________

The permanent secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, has warned against politicising the Parish Development Model (PDM), emphasising that the initiative was designed solely to stimulate grassroots economic growth—not to serve political agendas.

“President Museveni introduced the PDM for development, not politics. It is not a campaign tool or a means to gain political advantage,” Kakande said.

He made the remarks during a multi-agency stakeholder workshop on Thursday, June 19, at the Sheraton Hotel, which focused on validating the PDM’s Theory of Change. The event brought together officials from various ministries, departments, and agencies.

Hajji Yunus Kakande said president Museveni introduced PDM for development not politics. This was during a multi-agency stakeholder workshop on validation of PDM's theory for change at Sheraton hotel on Thursday. (Courtesy)

“The President has implemented numerous national programmes without political bias,” Kakande added. “Did he start Universal Primary Education or Universal Secondary Education for politics? Look at the road networks—from Kampala to Karamoja to Kisoro—it’s all tarmac. These projects are meant to open up the country and its markets, not to score political points.”

(Courtesy)

Launched by President Museveni on February 26, 2022, the PDM aims to uplift households trapped in the subsistence economy, currently estimated at 33 percent of the population, down from 39 percent at the start of the Third National Development Plan (NDPIII). The model is designed to boost household incomes and promote socio-economic transformation through food security, wealth creation, job generation, and improved service delivery.

Implementation of the PDM is grounded in Article 176(2b) of the Ugandan Constitution, which stresses decentralisation and participatory decision-making. Local governments are mandated to involve key stakeholders in planning and execution.

Kakande acknowledged ongoing challenges, including the misuse of funds by some beneficiaries. He noted that some recipients had diverted money meant for income-generating projects to cover funeral expenses or buy household items, while cases of corruption among programme managers had also been reported.

“We are committed to ensuring that every coin goes into meaningful economic development. Beneficiaries must use these funds for ventures that will improve their livelihoods,” he said.

Vincent Tumusiime Bamugaya, from the Office of the President’s Directorate of Socio-Economic Monitoring and Research, said the government is preparing to conduct an impact audit of the PDM.

“With guidance from the President, we’ll be working with local leaders to assess the real impact of the PDM,” he said. “The President wants evidence—not assumptions—on how many people have moved out of poverty as a result of this initiative. We want to measure that impact at both the household and national levels.”

He also clarified that, while many people associate the PDM solely with financial inclusion—one of its seven pillars—the programme is far broader in scope.

“Focusing only on financial inclusion sends the wrong message,” Bamugaya said. “If farmers produce but lack roads to access markets, the entire effort is undermined. What we’re working on now is harmonising all seven pillars to ensure they deliver the full potential of the PDM.”

Dr Fred Muhumuza, an economist and facilitator from Makerere University Business School, stressed the importance of the Theory of Change framework in aligning all stakeholders towards a unified understanding of the PDM.

“The Theory of Change helps contextualise the whole-of-government approach,” he explained. “It clarifies stakeholder roles and ensures that everyone understands the financing and their contributions, so the programme can deliver its intended outcomes.”