The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has asked the National Resistance Movement-NRM party MPs to support the proposed increase of the Parish Development Model Fund budget from the current 200 billion to 1.069 trillion Shillings.
In the current financial year 2021/2022, parliament appropriated only 200 Billion Shillings towards the new model. The model is the latest attempt by the government to roll out at the parish level to alleviate poverty at the grassroots by getting the 39 percent of households from subsistence economy to commercial production.
“I appealed to the members of the NRM Caucus to support the government’s decision to put more money in the Parish Development Model to fast-track economic transformation at the grass root. This is a shift from deciding for the people to the people deciding for themselves,” Museveni said.
The model seeks to have all development activities regarding agriculture production are planned and executed in parishes and according to the Ministry of Finance, the first three months of the financial year will be spent on Parish Chiefs operationalizing the Parish Development Committees that will be in charge of the new initiative.
Full implementation of the model is scheduled to start in October.
Addressing MPs under the NRM Parliamentary Caucus at Kololo Independence Grounds, Museveni criticized the Tenth Parliament for blocking more funds for the new model and instead allocated only 200 billion shillings which he said is inadequate.
He demanded that 100 million shillings are allocated for each of the 10,694 parishes across the country per year so that the desired output is achieved. If implemented, this directive by the President would see the budget for the Parish Model increase in the coming financial year 2022/2023 to 1.0694 trillion.
The current budgetary allocation can only see 14.5 million Shillings allocated to each parish.
Museveni said that the previous initiatives of the government like the Entandikwa, Youth Livelihood Program, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program and others have faced a lot of problems like individuals in government dominating the decision making process, no clear criteria, purchase of poor quality inputs and long distance between the money source and the people.
He cited five advantages of the Parish Development Model including organization of recipients and forming of Savings and Credit Co-operatives- SACCOs in the initial stages of the initiative, individual decision making and procurement of agriculture inputs and others.
Museveni said that under the model, the parish SACCOs are to lend out money from the Parish Revolving Fund to household individuals at a concessional interest rate.
He appealed to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus to support the new government initiative arguing that all groups of people including women, youth, the elderly and the disabled can easily be reached at the parish level.
Under the new Parish Development Model, the government identified and prioritized 18 commodities to be grown by individuals so that they can be marketed locally and internationally. These include cocoa, coffee, fish, cotton, dairy, beef, cassava, bananas, tea, beans, vegetable oils, avocado, Shia nut, rice, cashew nuts, sugarcane, maize and others.
The president’s proposal was overwhelmingly supported by MPs when Government Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa posed a question.
Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister said that government is ready to start with the money so far appropriated by Parliament. She said that recruitment of parish chiefs is already underway.
She also noted that training and operationalizing of the Parish Development Model has also been catered for.
Raphael Magyezi, the Minister of Local Government said that the Parish Development Model encompasses seven pillars that include production, infrastructure and economic services, financial inclusion, community data governance and administration and mindset change.
Meanwhile, Museveni said that part of the money sent to the parishes will be specifically ring-fenced for special groups like women, youth and others.
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ok. Wait. President has planned that for all ugandans, i know,
Kino burimuna uganda akimanyi nti president Museveni atwaagaliza ebiruungi 100% naye bebitukilakooo, tebabitusa gyebilaga, yensonga lwaaki ezeemyooga teezafuluma woona mugwaanga atenga president amanyi nti burimuna uganda eyali yeewandisa yafuna, lindako nazino eza buri parish, bajakuzilya bigwe. Tebagambye nti zakufuluma mu october? Kansirike.
HE The President has good plans for Uganda. But for sure some technical People at District and Sub Counties tend to personalize government programs. If you can see how resources are being swindled in some new and old districts leaves a lot to be desired. I think the hand of the anti-corruption office of The President should stretch to these fellows. One wonders an Officer embezzling over three hundred millions and is given a cool bail. I agree with HE The President corrupt and embezzlers of public funds should not be given bail and be forced to return the stolen money. Their illicit acquired assets should be attached for repayment.
These programs, it is true are part of NRM Manifesto. NRM Leaders at all levels should be seen active in monitoring implementation My proposal would be that NRM Leaders should be part of the elected Local Councils for purposes of supervising NRM Manifesto implementation. You will find in other Districts and Sub counties majority of elected leaders are either independent or opposition that will render NRM programs a nullity. I would propose amendment of the Local Government Act to incorporate this proposal.