Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, the State Minister for Northern Uganda, has encouraged beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Omoro district to focus on the seven pillars of the program. 

PDM has seven pillars: agricultural (production, storage, processing and marketing); infrastructure and economic services; financial inclusion; social services; mindset change and community mobilisation; Parish Based Management Information System (PBMIS); and governance and administration. 

While launching PDM at Opit Secondary School in Omoro district on Friday, July 30, the minister told beneficiaries that their livelihoods can be centred on coffee farming, dairy, fruit farming, poultry, fish farming, piggery, and food crops so as to create wealth at the grassroots. 

Kwiyucwiny noted that the Parish Development Model’s third pillar, financial inclusion, was fully implemented with the disbursement of over sh100m. 

Nicholas Ogwang, the Omoro Chief Administrative Officer, said that out of 65 SACCOS groups registered, 55 had received the 100m for the financial year 2022/23 as was pronounced by the President. 

Ogwang added that the district received more than sh6b which is in the accounts of different SACCOS. 

He however informed Kwiyucwiny that 10 SACCOS groups were not funded due to shortages of computer equipment, low staffing and lack of operational funds. 

The PDM beneficiaries in Omoro. (Photo by Claude Omona)

Leaders react 

Douglas Peter Okello Okao, the Omoro district LC5 chairman, told the beneficiaries to work hard to enjoy the fruits of their sweat using the PDM funds and warned against misuse for personal gain. 

“The money is not for marrying or celebrations. It should be used according to the guidelines,” said Okao. 

Andrew Onyuk, the Omoro Resident District Commissioner, encouraged leaders to make sure that the beneficiaries utilise the funds in the right way and warned that any illegality would get beneficiaries disqualified. 

Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, the Omoro County MP, emphasised that “development starts with individuals before services come in.” 

Catherine Lamwaka, Omoro Woman MP, told the beneficiaries that each of their parishes will continue receiving ah100m for the next five years and called upon parish chiefs and community development officers not to give up and fail the program.