BY EDITOR
Kasese District Local Government on Thursday officially launched the disbursement exercise of the Parish Development Model Funds to the 197 registered SACCOs that have 2030 enterprise groups across the district.
The Parish Development Model is the last mile strategy for service delivery of the government of Uganda for improving household incomes and welfare of all Ugandans, targeting the 39% of the subsistence households.
It is the strategy under the whole government approach to development as predicted in the third National Development Plan (NDPIII) focusing on financial inclusion and mindset change.
Officiating at the launch during a colorful function that was held at the District Multipurpose hall, the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga Kime explained that all the pro- people programs that government has been implementing to get people out of poverty have been incorporated in the Parish Development Model except the Emyooga and Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme – UWEP.
Minister Kabbyanga noted that government is also committed to disbursing shillings 100 million to each and every parish in every financial year, asking the beneficiaries to make proper use of the money so that they change the economy.
He, however, noted that the funds are given to the beneficiaries in form of a loan that should be paid in a period of three years and that it revolves to the rest of the members within the parish.
He also discouraged the beneficiaries from using the funds to grow cotton, arguing that the said cash crop is not reliable to enable someone refund the money.
In his remarks, the Kasese Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Elias Byamungu stressed that they are targeting to give out shillings 3 billion to all the registered groups in this ending financial year.
He thus gave a two weeks ultimatum to the Community Development Officers and other technical staff responsible for the program to have entered data and the particulars of the intended beneficiaries into the system so that they access the money to begin serious business.
Mr. Julius Baluku, the Kasese District Production Officer and Coordinator of the Program, implored the technical team at the sub county and parish levels to make continuous follow- ups to ascertain if the people are using the money as per their approved business plans.
Mr. Eliphaz Muhindi Bukombi, the District Chairperson courted all the parish chiefs and other concerned people that are handling the project to desist from acts related to corruption in order for the government to achieve he purpose for which the program was introduced.
Mr. Zepher Mubingwa, the Kasese Deputy RDC in charge of Busongora County emphasized need for mindset change towards embracing programs that are geared towards development.
Ms. Anesthesia Nyakaisiki, a resident of Katwe –Kabatooro Town Council, Busongora County South who immediately received the money as soon as the project was launched, commended government for its efforts and subsequently pledged to make proper use of it.