President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed local leaders to conduct a comprehensive parish-by-parish assessment of households that have transitioned into the money economy under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Speaking at Gombe Secondary School in Butambala District during his evaluation tour of Greater Mpigi, the President emphasized the need for tangible results rather than rhetoric. He urged leaders to engage directly with communities to track progress.
“We must move beyond assumptions,” Museveni stated. “The true measure of success lies in verifying how many families have genuinely escaped poverty through income-generating activities.”
The President likened the initiative to a “rescue mission,” stressing that leaders must identify households still struggling and guide them into the formal economy. “This is not a political campaign—it is a fight for evidence-based transformation,” he declared.
Museveni cautioned against unrealistic promises, noting that progress requires prioritization. “Those who claim they can solve everything at once are deceiving the public,” he said.
Highlighting advancements in education, he pointed out that Greater Mpigi now boasts 27 government-funded Advanced Level schools, a significant leap from the six available nationwide in the 1960s.
Health, Land, and Wealth Preservation
The President underscored preventive healthcare, citing immunization and sanitation as key to reducing disease. “Eighty percent of illnesses are preventable,” he noted, adding that personal discipline is crucial.
On land management, Museveni warned against fragmenting family estates, advocating for collective ownership to sustain productivity. “Divide profits, not land,” he advised, urging Ugandans to adopt modern farming techniques like irrigation to maximize yields.
Addressing rising thefts in Gomba, Museveni questioned the absence of police canine units and ordered immediate deployment. He also announced plans to upgrade the Mpigi–Nakawuka–Kasanje–Kisubi road to bolster regional connectivity.
Reaffirming protections for bibanja (tenant) farmers, Museveni condemned unlawful evictions by landlords. “No one should be forced off land they have lawfully occupied,” he asserted, revealing upcoming legislation to streamline ground rent payments through local government offices.
He traced Uganda’s land conflicts to colonial-era Mailo land allocations, vowing to rectify historical injustices.
Alhajji Moses Kigongo, NRM’s First National Vice Chairman, called for a return to the party’s core values. “Discipline and humility built our movement—money must not corrupt our principles,” he warned, urging unity amid internal competition.
Regional Leaders Report Progress
Geoffrey Kiviiri, Gomba District LC5 Chairman, praised PDM for lifting 65% of Greater Mpigi’s 672,000 residents into the money economy. However, he acknowledged weaker outcomes from the Emyooga program, urging beneficiaries to reinvest funds for sustainable growth.
Kiviiri also highlighted the success of Presidential Industrial Hubs, where 243 youth have acquired vocational skills, transforming them into skilled artisans.
The event was attended by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba, and other senior officials.
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