Kole, Uganda – President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Museveni Kaguta, has provided UGX 15 million in support of a PDM (Parish Development Model) beneficiary in Kole.
The President also promised that the State House Comptroller would construct a shelter and a borehole for the beneficiary. He was accompanied by First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni during the tour.
“If you want the child to grow, you let the child stand on his or her own,” said President Museveni.
The PDM beneficiary, host farmer Akoi Rose, a 50-year-old resident of Akaidebe Cell, Eastern Ward ‘A’, Kole Town Council in Kole District, has commended President Museveni for empowering her with UGX 15 million under the PDM fund in 2023. Akoi used the funds to purchase four piglets, which she later sold for over UGX 2.9 million. With the profits, she has now managed to build a small two-roomed house.
Akoi has requested President Museveni to donate dairy cattle to her and help her purchase additional hectares of land, in addition to her current one acre of land. She also requested support in the form of a community-managed tractor to utilize the funds she received from the PDM. Akoi’s success story is a true testament to the impact of the PDM initiative, as emphasized by President Museveni.
Hon. MP Opio Samuel Acuti of Kole North County told the media that the people of Lango need to transition from subsistence agriculture to a money economy. He cited crops like sunflower and soybeans, which have low-income potential. Opio Acuti added that the President’s visit would act as a catalyst, helping the people of Kole shift from low-value crops to wealth-creation initiatives.
Bishop Alfred Olwa confirmed to the President that he has one hectare of cocoa and is now a student of the PDM. He invited President Museveni to visit his farm in Aromo, although the President mentioned that the location is a bit far but promised to visit at a later date.
Bishop Olwa expressed that the President’s visit is significant, as it focuses on rural constituencies like Kole, which will directly benefit the local people.
In an interview with the media, Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua stated that President Museveni has visited the Lango region and is scheduled to visit two more PDM beneficiaries. Obua emphasized that these two beneficiaries are predominantly from the PDM program.
So far, UGX 2.4 trillion has been invested in the PDM project, and Obua expressed confidence that poverty can be eradicated in Uganda. He highlighted the six wealth creation initiatives, including Emyoga, as part of the solution. Obua further suggested that PDM funding may be increased in the coming years.
“The President has visited Acholi, West Nile, Masaka, Karamoja, Sebei, Busoga, and now he is in the Lango Sub-region,” said Obua.
Among the key dignitaries accompanying the President in Kole District were Jane Barikye, the State House Comptroller; Lango Parliamentary Group Chairperson Hon. MP Alyek Judith; Minister Evelyn Anite; Hon. Okot Boniface, Youth MP for Northern Uganda; Hon. Peter Ocen Akalo; Bishop Prof. Alfred Olwa; Kole LCV Chairman Andrew Awany; Kole RDC Olili Omara Josephine; Deputy RCC Lira City West Ibrahim Mukamba, and others.
