Uganda: Government Releases Shs529bn As PDM Enters New Phase

By Salmah Namwanje

The government has released Shs529 billion to Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCOs across the country, marking a major milestone in what the Ministry of Finance describes as Uganda's most transformative grassroots economic empowerment programme.

The latest release will see all 10,589 verified PDM SACCOs receive Shs50 million each. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija announced the development while addressing the media in Kampala, saying President Museveni had fully delivered on his 2021 campaign pledge to channel affordable capital directly to the parish, which he termed the "true engine of Uganda's economy."

According to Kasaija, government has now transferred a total of Shs3.261 trillion to the 10,589 parish SACCOs.

Each parish has received at least Shs300 million, with 99 per cent of the funds already disbursed to 3.27 million beneficiaries, including farmers, youth, women, persons with disabilities and small-scale entrepreneurs.

"This is the first time in Uganda's history that such capital has reached the ordinary citizen without passing through intermediaries," Kasaija said.

He directed RDCs, DISOs and accounting officers to crack down on fraud and extortion in the implementation of the PDM.

"No beneficiary should be charged any fee to access their PDM loan. Zero charges," he emphasized. "Anyone who abuses the PDM system will be punished according to the law firmly and swiftly."

Kasaija urged SACCO leaders to ensure transparent beneficiary selection, strong monitoring mechanisms and proper loan recovery.

He also encouraged recipients to save, repay their loans and build sustainable SACCOs that can support long-term economic growth.

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