President Yoweri Museveni has called on Ugandans to reject complacency and actively pursue opportunities for financial growth in the ongoing battle against poverty.
Addressing residents across the East African nation, he highlighted the need for collective action, cautioning that many have become too accustomed to living in poverty.
“I felt compelled to visit because I heard that some of you have grown too comfortable with poverty,” Museveni stated, reflecting on his long tenure as Uganda’s leader since 1986, which began after a successful five-year guerrilla war.
He underscored the importance of the savings and credit cooperative system (SACCO), asserting, “I want this money to remain within the community and drive long-term development.”
The president also warned against land fragmentation, which he said hampers efforts to effectively utilize funds from the Parish Development Model (PDM). “One of your biggest challenges is splitting land when the family head passes away. Why not keep the land intact and work on it collectively as a family? Small plots limit potential. Think about your children’s future,” he advised.
Launched on February 26, 2022, the Parish Development Model aims to bring government services closer to citizens and enhance grassroots service delivery.
Rubirizi District, with a population of 167,835 and 36,330 households—33,786 of which engage in subsistence farming—has been a focal point for the PDM initiative.
During his tour of the Ankole sub-region, President Museveni visited Rubirizi, Sheema, and Ibanda districts, engaging with beneficiaries of the program to discuss its impacts and progress.
