By Wakibi Iddi
Government financing push worth Shs4.317 trillion has reached more than 3.5 million Ugandans under the Parish Development Model (PDM), putting billions of shillings into household enterprises as the country seeks to shift communities from subsistence productionto the money economy.
According to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry reached beneficiaries through 10,589 PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) across the country.
Each PDM SACCO has received at least Shs400 million over the programme’s four-year implementation period. Eligible beneficiaries can access loans of up to Shs1 million at an interest rate of six per cent per annum, repayable over three years, including a two-year grace period.
The financing is intended to expand access to affordable credit and support small household enterprises, particularly in rural communities.
“The Parish Development Model has reached 3,571,108 beneficiaries,” the Ministry reported.
The Ministry of Finance reviewed implementation progress during a PDM inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Minister of State for Microfinance, Hon. Shartsi Musherure Kuteesa.
The meeting brought together ministers and technical officials responsible for the seven PDM pillars to assess implementation, strengthen coordination and identify reforms to improve accountability and sustainability.
The Financial Inclusion Pillar report shows adults aged 31-59 form the largest group with 1,946,086 people (54.50%).
Youth aged 18-30 account for 1,086,998 (30.44%), while those above 60 years number 538,024 (15.07%).
Women account for 1,924,188 (53.88%) compared to 1,646,920 men (46.12%). The programme has also reached 41,423 persons with disabilities (1.16%).
By June 2026, beneficiaries had invested Shs461.12 billion in piggery, Shs453.52 billion in coffee and Shs425.27 billion in poultry, reflecting the range of productive activities supported through the programme.
Local Government Minister Hon. Balaam Barugahara called for stronger accountability, warning against extortion, illegal charges, favouritism, political interference, fraud and diversion of PDM funds.
He said the programme’s success should be measured by increased production, savings, value addition, market access, enterprise growth and improved household incomes.