Nantume Jenepher Egunyu, the District Chief Administrative Officer addressing district stakeholders recently.
By Arnest Tumwesige and Simon Wokorach
Nwoya: District leaders have raised concerns over migrant workers misusing and absconding with Parish Development Model (PDM) revolving funds, posing a threat to the program’s sustainability.
As an agriculturally rich district with over 30 commercial farms, Nwoya district attracts hundreds of casual laborers from neighboring districts such as Pakwach, Buliisa, Masindi, Oyam and others from Central Uganda.
These workers are employed for short-term contracts during planting, weeding, and harvesting seasons.
Since many of these stay for more than a year, they have obtained National Identity Cards, allowing them to claim residency in Nwoya, despite maintaining households in their home districts.
Local leaders are alarmed by reports of beneficiaries fleeing the district with PDM funds to evade loan repayment.
Some workers have also exploited their residency status by convincing local women to apply for funds, only to abscond with the money afterward.
Challenges in Recovery
Jenifer Ajok, Chairperson of the NRM Women’s Council for Got-Apwoyo Sub-County, highlighted the challenge of tracking beneficiaries who have left the district.
She reported that over 100 cases of men abandoning the area for their home districts have been documented in her sub-county alone.
Nantume Jenepher Egunyu, the District Chief Administrative Officer, acknowledged the difficulties in implementing the PDM initiative in the face of such challenges.
Since its inception two financial years back, Nwoya has received UGX 9.47 billion for the PDM program, with UGX 205 million allocated to each of the 44 parishes.
However, there is growing concern that some recipients misuse the funds on non-productive activities, such as alcohol consumption, buying electronics, and engaging in polygamy, instead of focusing on income-generating projects.
Use Technology to Track Beneficiaries
Kenneth Oketa, Data and Information Management Officer at Operation Wealth Creation, urged district leaders to use systems like the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) database to trace defaulters and ensure accountability.
PDM’s Positive Impact
Despite the challenges, the PDM has significantly improved livelihoods in some areas. Komakech Sadick, Local Council Chairperson for Obira Cell in Anaka Town Council, commended the government for decentralizing funds to the parishes.
Beneficiaries have used the money to invest in agriculture, poultry, livestock, and small-scale businesses.
However, Komakech appealed to the government to revise the repayment guidelines to allow beneficiaries to repay loans in installments, warning that rigid repayment terms could push people back into poverty or encourage them to default.
Internal Challenges and Governance
Richard Todwong, General Secretary of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), expressed concerns over poor collaboration between technical staff and elected leaders in Nwoya.
He emphasized that such differences undermine service delivery and could derail government efforts to lift communities out of poverty.
“The PDM is designed to transform rural communities into a money economy. Leaders must set aside their differences, monitor implementation, and ensure funds are used effectively,” Toodwong stated.
About the PDM
The Parish Development Model is a government strategy aimed at creating wealth and employment at the parish level, the lowest economic planning unit.
The program supports seven pillars, including production, processing, marketing, infrastructure, and financial inclusion, social services, and community information systems.
Eighteen commodities targeted under the program include coffee, maize, sugarcane, rice, fish, dairy, beef, and avocado.
According to the Auditor General’s March 2024 report, the Ministry of Finance has released 100% of the planned UGX 1,059.4 billion for 10,594 Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs).
