The State Minister for Trade, Industries, and Cooperatives, David Bahati has asked authorities in the Kabale district to quicken the distribution of Parish Development Money funds.

Hon. Bahati, the Ndorwa West legislator, was in his constituency on a sensitization drive to the locals on how best they can benefit from the PDM funds. 

President Yoweri Museveni launched the PDM program in February 2022 with each parish expected to receive Shs100m.

The Parish Development Model aims at uplifting more than three million peasant households into the money economy.

In May 2022, Parliament appropriated Shs1.49 trillion for PDM to cover 10,400 parishes.

Last Month, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, granted all Members of Parliament a two-week recess to retreat to their respective constituencies and assess the progress of PDM.

During his visit, Bahati realized that none of the targeted SACCOs had withdrawn the PDM funds for use. He was forced to summon the district production officer for Kabale, Beda Mwebesa to explain to his constituents.

Mwebesa said that they have delayed endorsing the withdrawal of these funds because there is still a need to sensitize the SACCO leaders on how best to use these funds.

Bahati was however not convinced with Mwebesa’s explanation noting that this delay will affect the agricultural season.

Bahati asked his constituents to consider viable business opportunities once the PDM funds are released. Several locals told our reporter that they feel frustrated that these funds remain a mystery.