'You’ll be sacked': Museveni warns parish chiefs excluding youth from PDM
The President said the government would not tolerate any misuse of PDM funds meant for specific groups.
NRM Presidential candidate President Yoweri Museveni waves to the crowds as he arrives in Agule, in Pallisa district, to address a campaign rally on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. (PPU Photo)
________________ President Museveni waves to religious leaders and NRM flagbearers in Pallisa district during a campaign rally in Agule, Pallisa, on Wednesday. (PPU Photo)
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has warned parish and sub-county chiefs in the Bukedi sub-region that any leader who sidelines youth, women, or persons with disabilities in the Parish Development Model (PDM) will be dismissed.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Pallisa district on Wednesday, November 12, that drew thousands of residents, party supporters, and several Members of Parliament from Bukedi and neighbouring regions, the President, who is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag bearer for the 2026 general elections, said the government would not tolerate any misuse of PDM funds meant for specific groups.
Mammoth NRM supporters braved the scorching afternoon sunshine as they listened to President Museveni’s campaign address during a rally in Agule in Pallisa district on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. (PPU Photo)
NRM party flagbearers in Pallisa district pose for a photo with President Museveni (C) after receiving their flags during a campaign rally in Agule, Pallisa district on Wednesday. (PPU Photo)
He reminded leaders of their duty to distribute funds transparently and in line with national guidelines.
“Within the shillings 100 million per parish, 30% belongs to the youth, 30% to the women, and 10% to the disabled. So, I don't want to hear that story again,” President Museveni said.
“If I hear that the youth, the women, or the disabled are not getting their share, I will go for the parish chief first, and I will dismiss them, plus the sub-county chiefs,” he added.
The warning comes amid rising public concern over mismanagement, favouritism, and delays in disbursing PDM funds. The President said transparency at the parish level was crucial for the success of the government’s flagship poverty eradication programme launched in 2022.
“Let everybody get their share. But also, you, the youth, should join the SACCOs. Go to the Muluka chief and ask them to join the parish SACCOs. Nobody will stop you as long as you’re over 18 years old,” he told the cheering crowd.
Pallisa district has received sh27.7 billion under the PDM for its 90 parishes, with about 98.2% of the funds already disbursed to 27,343 households.
Museveni also used the platform to revisit the NRM’s long-term poverty eradication policies since 1986, saying that while development benefits all, wealth creation must be an individual effort.
“Development is for all of us, but wealth is for individuals. What is mine is better than ours,” he said, recalling past initiatives such as Entandikwa, NAADS, OWC, and Emyooga.
The President screened short films showing successful farmers who had benefited from government projects, including Serere’s Joseph Ijala, who earns over sh6 million daily from poultry and dairy farming.
“Serere may not have tarmac roads, but there is wealth there. That’s what we mean when we talk about transforming livelihoods,” he said.
He announced new funding plans for local leaders, religious institutions, fishermen, and unemployed graduates, adding, “We shall also start a fund for fishermen, zone by zone, because they need more than one million to buy boats and nets.”
Museveni later toured government projects in Pallisa and called for more land for industrial development.
“You have given me very little land. I want a square mile or more. When you get more land, come back to me,” he said, citing the success of the Sino-Uganda Industrial Park in Mbale.
The President praised the region’s progress in peace, infrastructure, water access, and education, urging leaders to ensure accountability for road maintenance funds.
The Speaker of Parliament and NRM second national vice chairperson, Anita Among, who welcomed the President to Bukedi, praised the NRM government for transforming the region’s infrastructure.
“Especially the road from Tirinyi to Pallisa up to Kumi—now we have the best road in eastern Uganda,” she said and also commended President Museveni for “defending Uganda’s traditional values” and for “bringing money to the people.”
The NRM vice chairperson for eastern region, Calvin Echodu, said the massive turnout in Pallisa reflected public confidence in the President’s leadership.
“It’s a testament to how the people of Bukedi believe in what you and the NRM have done,” he said.
Gogonya County MP and NRM district chairperson for Pallisa, Derrick Orone, presented seven key requests from the people of Pallisa. These included the elevation of Pallisa General Hospital to referral status, more technical schools, and political appointments for local NRM cadres.
“We shall give you above 90% in the upcoming election,” Orone said, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Musician Gravity Omutujju entertains NRM supporters during President Museveni's campaign rally in Agule in Pallisa district on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. (PPU Photo)
President Museveni talks to the Emorimor of Teso and his team during a campaign rally in Agule, Pallisa district on Wednesday. (PPU Photo)