United Nations officials have expressed optimism that Uganda’s Parish Development Model (PDM), a government initiative aimed at uplifting grassroots communities into the formal economy, could significantly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Launched in February the previous year, the PDM targets 16.1 million Ugandans, or 3.5 million households, living in subsistence economies, providing up to UGX 100 million per parish for use as a revolving fund by Saving and Credit Cooperative Organizations (Sacco) members.
Suzan Ngongi Namondo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, commended the government for the PDM program during the 78th-anniversary celebration of UN Day in Gulu City. She emphasized the potential of the program to lift a substantial portion of the Ugandan population into the formal economy and align with the SDGs’ objectives by 2030. However, Namondo also noted that global progress towards the SDGs has been hampered by challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine crisis, and financial constraints in various countries.
Uganda’s commitment to accelerating SDG achievement was reinforced by six core commitments, including implementing the inclusive PDM to leave no one behind, fostering trade financing, embracing climate-smart practices, leveraging science and technology, promoting economic and social development through climate adaptation and mitigation, and strengthening SDG coordination and service delivery mechanisms.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja emphasized the government’s dedication to localizing and popularizing the SDGs, underscoring the importance of effectively utilizing PDM funds. She cited improvements in health services, education, environmental justice, and gender equality as notable achievements. Additionally, the government’s third National Development Plan (NDP III) fully integrates the 17 SDGs and their targets.
Dmitry Pozhidaev, a United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Country Representative, praised the PDM as a means to address poverty but stressed the need for technical assistance to ensure the effective and sustainable utilization of funds. Pascal Byarugaba, the Program Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at the SDG secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister, reported significant progress in SDG indicators, reflecting the government’s commitment to SDG implementation.
| Points | Details |
|---|---|
| PDM and SDGs | United Nations officials suggest that the Parish Development Model (PDM) implemented by the Ugandan government has the potential to help the country achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |
| Implementation of PDM | The PDM initiative was launched in February the previous year, with the aim of benefiting 16.1 million Ugandans living under subsistence conditions. It involves the disbursement of up to UGX 100 million to each parish as a revolving fund for Saving and Credit Cooperative Organizations (Sacco) members. |
| UN Support and SDGs Progress | The UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Suzan Ngongi Namondo, praises the PDM program and emphasizes its role in advancing Uganda’s SDG targets. The UN is committed to supporting the initiative, which aims to lift 39 percent of Ugandans into the formal economy. |
| Challenges in Achieving SDGs | Namondo acknowledges that global progress toward the 17 SDGs is lagging, with only 15 percent of the goals achieved since 2015 due to factors like the COVID-19 pandemic, crises in Ukraine, and financial challenges in various countries. |
| Ugandan Government’s Commitment to SDGs | The Ugandan government has made strides in expanding access to healthcare, education, environmental justice, and gender equality. The third National Development Plan (NDP III) integrates the 17 SDGs and their targets. |
| Core Commitments for SDG Achievement | To reach the SDGs by 2030, Uganda has established six core commitments, including promoting inclusive PDM implementation, fostering trade financing, and leveraging science and technology for development. |
