Kayunga PDM Officers Ordered to Prioritise Youth, PWDs for Funding

Parish Development Model (PDM) officers in Uganda's Kayunga District have been instructed to prioritize funding for youth and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The goal is to enhance their livelihoods and foster inclusive economic development through the PDM program.

Charles Iga, Kayunga District Production Officer, issued the directive, noting that these groups remain significantly underrepresented among PDM beneficiaries despite their substantial share of Uganda's population. He stressed that the PDM's objective of moving households from subsistence farming into the money economy cannot be fully achieved without deliberately targeting vulnerable populations.

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Youth and Persons with Disabilities make up a large percentage of our population, yet many of them have not benefited enough from the Parish Development Model. PDM officers should ensure they are prioritised so they can improve their livelihoods and become economically independent.

"Youth and Persons with Disabilities make up a large percentage of our population, yet many of them have not benefited enough from the Parish Development Model," Iga stated. He emphasized that prioritizing them would help reduce unemployment among youth and promote self-reliance and poverty reduction among PWDs.

Iga also urged PDM implementers to guide beneficiaries toward viable enterprises, monitor fund utilization, and provide ongoing technical support. Local leaders and parish chiefs are called upon to ensure beneficiary selection is transparent and free from discrimination. The PDM, launched in 2022, provides revolving loans up to Shs1 million through parish SACCOs for various income-generating activities.

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We want beneficiaries to invest wisely in productive activities that generate income. Proper guidance and monitoring are essential for the success of the programme.