Landless youth must not be locked out of PDM — Museveni

________________

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned Parish Development Model (PDM) officials against blocking young people from accessing PDM funds on grounds that they do not own land, insisting that approval should depend solely on the strength of a proposed project.

Speaking at Bujaga playground in Rwampara district during a campaign rally on Monday (December 1), President Museveni told supporters that he had received reports from several parishes where elders were preventing youth from applying for the revolving fund. He described the practice as discriminatory and contrary to the intentions of the PDM initiative.

“For the youths, I have heard reports that elders are not allowing them to access PDM at the parish because they don’t have land,” President Museveni said, according to a release from the Presidential Press Unit.

“Stop that. Get their projects and review them, and leave them to invest in whatever they want. They can rent land to invest in anything they wish.”

The President explained that the PDM was created to support all Ugandans transitioning from subsistence livelihoods into commercial activity.

He said that creativity and innovation were more important than land titles, pointing to young people who have used small allocations to start viable enterprises.

He highlighted the example of Ayesigwa Kenneth, who used sh1million to hire a restaurant space before expanding into piggery.

“These excuses of saying someone has no land and therefore should not get money, I don’t want to hear this,” he said. “Look at the viability of their project before denying them money.”

Under the programme, 30 percent of the parish's revolving fund is reserved for youth between the ages of 18 and 30.

President Museveni urged beneficiaries to invest their allocations wisely, adding that the government intends to reinforce PDM financing with agricultural inputs.

“I have already informed the relevant departments to get coffee seedlings and give them for free to those who need them,” he added.

The rally formed part of his campaign activities ahead of the 2026 general elections, where he once again underlined peace, development, wealth creation and job creation as the pillars of the NRM’s message.

He reminded residents that the party’s philosophy combines guidance with practical support.

“NRM doesn’t only advise and show you what to do, but also supports you to start,” he said.

The President also reflected on his historical links to Rwampara, recounting his first journey through the area nearly seven decades ago while playing football, and later during the liberation struggles of 1979 and 1985.

“It feels good to be back here and seeing you in good health,” he told the crowd.

He revisited the NRM’s achievements in stabilising the country.

“We were in wars twice, in 1979 and 1985. What caused those wars was the politics of identity, tribe, and religion, making it difficult to run the country,” he said, arguing that national unity and a non-sectarian army had made economic progress possible.

“I want you to support this peace to continue,” he appealed.

On infrastructure, the President said government would upgrade the Buteraniro-Bugamba-Rwoho-Bukoni-Kitwe road as well as the Ruti-Mwizi-Kikagate route.

“We shall upgrade Buteraniro-Bugamba-Rwoho-Bukoni-Kitwe road and Ruti-Mwizi-Kikagate road,” he announced.

He added that improved connectivity would cut transport costs and boost trade across the district.

Turning to agriculture, President Museveni said Rwampara was blessed with sufficient water for irrigation but had not exploited it fully. He referred to the irrigated banana project in Bushenyi, where yields of up to 53 tons per acre have been achieved. 

On health, he praised the district for progress made in service delivery.

“All eight sub-counties have a health facility. In the 1990s, the whole of Rwampara County had only three drug dispensaries. This is great progress,” he said.

He assured leaders that a district hospital would be delivered in the next term to serve hard-to-reach areas.

Education was another focus of his address, with the President pointing out the contrast between the present day and the limited secondary school options of the early 1950s.

“In 1953, we had only Kisubi, Buddo, and Ntare for A Level studies. Today, Rwampara alone has seven secondary schools. I feel happy,” he said.

He emphasised that while government provides public goods, personal prosperity depends on individuals embracing commercial production.

He cited farmers and entrepreneurs whose success has been built from modest beginnings, including those earning millions from dairy, poultry and fruit production, including George Matongo of Ngoma in Nakaseke district, who now sells 900 litres of milk per day, earning sh21 million per month, despite being 70 miles from the nearest tarmac road.

Johnson Basangwa, a major poultry farmer from Kamuli, who earns an estimated sh20 million per day from egg sales and employs more than 300 workers, was highlighted as another success story.

Similarly, Korea Dick Ogira from Abim district received 200 mango seedlings from Operation Wealth Creation and sh880,000 under the Parish Development Model (PDM).

He planted two acres of cassava and now earns about sh6 million from each harvest, conducted twice a year, totalling sh12 million annually.

With the growing market provided by the Soroti Fruit Factory, his annual income is projected to rise to sh36 million.

“These people have no tarmac roads, but they are rich,” he said.

The President reiterated that Uganda’s most reliable jobs come from commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT.

“The government has only about 480,000 jobs, yet factories employ about 1.2 million people,” he said, pointing to the Sino Mbale Industrial Park as evidence of industrial growth.

First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, who attended the rally, thanked residents for their strong turnout and reminded them that peace remained Uganda’s greatest asset.

“Countries with no peace have their people seeking refuge in Uganda,” she said. “Their only hope is in Uganda because of its peace from border to border.”

Rwampara district NRM chairperson, Gordon Mutima, welcomed the President and thanked him for granting district status in 2019.

He reiterated the request for a district hospital at Bugamba and said the facility would help address service gaps in underserved sub-counties.

The rally was attended by ministers, Members of Parliament, NRM leaders, and party flag bearers.