Museveni vows to crack whip on PDM funds theft in Mukono

MUKONO - President Yoweri Museveni has expressed concern over widespread complaints over mismanagement and theft of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Mukono district, allegedly involving parish officials and SACCO committee members.

He said while the government has ensured the release of funds to grassroots communities, some local leaders are diverting the money meant for household wealth creation.

“The money is there. I am sending it, and it is reaching the villages, but some people are diverting it," he told a large campaign rally at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Naggalama Grounds in Mukono on Friday (January 2), just under two weeks before polling day.
National Resistance Movement (NRM) leader Museveni, the incumbent in an eight-strong presidential race, is seeking a seventh term of office.

Polling will take place on January 15.

President Museveni, who is also the NRM Presidential candidate, addresses a campaign rally at Naggalama in Mukono district on Friday. (PPU Photos)

In Mukono, Museveni was accompanied by the First Lady and the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, senior party leaders, Cabinet ministers, and NRM mobilizers from the Buganda region. 

He urged residents to take responsibility by actively participating in parish SACCO meetings and holding leaders accountable.

“You are the ones who elect these leaders. If SACCO leaders elected themselves without a general meeting, that is illegal and easy to verify."

Museveni said the PDM National Coordinator, Galabuzi Ssozi, would be dispatched to investigate whether PDM committees in Mukono were lawfully elected.

'I need the vibe too'

He was also critical of what he described as apathy among sections of the youth, accusing some of prioritising leisure over civic engagement.

“You may find that a general meeting was called, but you didn’t bother to attend, especially you, the youths. I also need the vibe, but first, I work, I study, I defend the country. After those three, then I can have the vibe,” he quipped, drawing huge applause from the crowd.

The President warned that disengagement from leadership processes would undermine the country’s future.

An NRM supporter in Mukono district expresses her excitment as they listened to President Museveni's campaign address during a rally at Naggalama in Mukono district on Friday.

“We, the elderly, shall go to heaven. You will remain here in your country. So, you must know how to defend it."

Official statistics show that Mukono district and Mukono municipality, comprising 97 parishes, have cumulatively received 34.59 billion shillings under the PDM programme.
Out of this amount, 28.52 billion shillings (82.4%) has been disbursed to 31,248 beneficiary households.

Using the rally to sell the NRM manifesto, candidate Museveni outlined what he described as the seven key contributions of the ruling party to Uganda’s development.

“Peace is our first contribution. It comes from our ideology of non-sectarianism, which enabled us to build a strong national party that unites all Ugandans.”

On education, Museveni said Mukono has significantly benefited from government investment. The district and municipality currently have 220 government primary schools, 962 private primary schools, 25 government secondary schools, and 270 private secondary schools.

In the health sector, he noted that Mukono’s 18 sub-counties include one hospital, one Health Centre IV, and 17 Health Centre IIIs.

He announced plans to upgrade several facilities, including Kigogola HCII to HCIII in Kasawo sub-county and Kimenyedde HCII to HCIII in Kimenyedde sub-county. New HCIIIs will also be constructed in Katosi and Namataba town councils.

Regarding water coverage, Museveni said access to clean water in Mukono stands at 96%, with 591 out of 610 rural villages connected to safe water sources.

President Museveni, who is also the NRM Presidential candidate, accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni, addresses a campaign rally at Naggalama in Mukono district on Friday.

Completed projects include a solar-powered piped water scheme in Kapeeke Village, serving about 2,400 people, and the Kabembe–Kalagi–Naggalama Water Supply Project, benefiting 130,000 residents.

Eight additional piped water systems serve over 45,000 people across areas such as Mbalala, Nakifuma, Kasana, Namagunga, Luraggwe, Koome, and Nakanyonyi.

'Assess your economic standing'

President Museveni also emphasised that infrastructure and social services alone are insufficient without household wealth creation.

“Do not be blindfolded by development. Look into your home and assess how you stand economically.”

He reiterated the Four-Acre Model, first introduced in the 1996 NRM manifesto, which allocates land for coffee, fruits, pasture, and food crops, complemented by backyard poultry, piggery, and fish farming for those near the wetlands.

“Let everyone do something to chase poverty out of their home."

NRM supporters in Mukono district express their excitment as they listened to President Museveni's campaign address during a rally at Naggalama in Mukono district on Friday, January 2.

Dismissing claims that the government should be the primary employer, Museveni said Uganda has only 480,000 government jobs against a population of nearly 50 million.

“Jobs are in commercial agriculture, manufacturing/artisanship, services, and ICT."

He also highlighted industrial parks such as Sino-Mbale, employing 12,000 workers, and Namanve Industrial Park, with 273 factories employing over 24,000 people.

On her part, the First Lady thanked residents for turning up in large numbers and urged them to vote for NRM candidates in this year's elections.

“Your vote for NRM is your contribution to building Uganda, a country your grandchildren will be proud of,” she said.

Mukono district and municipality have a combined population of 929,224, according to the 2024 census.

By 2025, registered voters had risen to 442,422, an increase of 87,147, with polling stations increasing from 619 to 960.

NRM leaders described Mukono as a strategic battleground and expressed confidence of improved performance in 2026.

He revealed this while addressing a large campaign rally at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Naggalama Grounds in Mukono on Friday (January 2), just under two weeks before polling day.

National Resistance Movement (NRM) leader Museveni, the incumbent in an eight-strong presidential race, is seeking a seventh term of office.

Polling will take place on January 15.

In Mukono, Museveni was accompanied by the First Lady and the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, senior party leaders, Cabinet ministers, and NRM mobilizers from the Buganda region.