Museveni Uses PDM Success Stories to Push Wealth Agenda in Kwania

Museveni Uses PDM Success Stories to Push Wealth Agenda in Kwania 

By our reporter 

KWANIA, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson and presidential flag bearer, on Friday took his campaign to Kwania District with a passionate call for Ugandans to focus on wealth creation rather than merely celebrating infrastructure development.

The President told supporters that while many people are excited about new roads and other infrastructure projects, the real enemy holding families back is poverty.

“Some people talk so much about development—development, tarmac road, this development. Now, there is tarmac road here. Are you going to sleep on the tarmac road in the night? You will have to go back to your houses. And when you go back, you’ll find the poverty you left in the morning waiting for you. And the poverty will say, *Apwoyo bino* (thanks for coming). We are still here,” Museveni remarked, sending his audience into laughter.

He explained that since the 1960s, the NRM’s consistent message has been about *lonyo* (wealth). He warned that Ugandans risk confusing the meaning of development if they do not differentiate between public infrastructure and personal economic transformation.

“Development is good, but does it include wealth? That is why we insist on making the distinction,” he said.

Real-life examples of change

To drive his point home, Museveni highlighted ordinary Ugandans who have risen from poverty through the Parish Development Model (PDM).

He spoke about Joel Okello of Amolatar, who earns Shs280 million in profit annually, and Apio of Lira, who once struggled to handle even one million shillings. After receiving PDM support, Apio hired three acres of land, planted maize, harvested 45 bags, and sold 40 of them, earning Shs2.8 million.

“Somebody who had never touched a million now has Shs2.8 million. She used part of it to reinvest, bought sheep, and paid her children’s school fees. That is transformation,” Museveni explained.

He also told the story of Rose Akoi from Kole, who started with one million shillings in 2023 and bought four pigs and a goat. Within two years, she had multiplied her livestock, acquired more goats, and even purchased a bull.

“These are not people in Europe, Asia, or America. They are here, among you,” the President emphasized, arguing that wealth creation was possible for all Ugandans regardless of background.

New funds for more groups

Museveni announced that in the coming term, government plans to create more funds to benefit groups that cannot effectively use the PDM. Fishermen, university graduates without jobs, and religious leaders such as sheikhs and reverends will all have special funds designed for them.

“For example, one million shillings is not enough for fisheries. We shall create their own fund in the fishing communities. University graduates who have failed to get jobs for two years will also benefit,” he revealed.

He further promised that local leaders, who had previously been excluded from PDM money to avoid competition with ordinary citizens, would now have a separate pool of funds.

“Everybody must be a player in wealth creation. We don’t want spectators,” Museveni said, likening economic participation to sports where every citizen must play instead of merely watching.

Restocking livestock in northern Uganda

Turning to northern Uganda, Museveni announced government’s plan to revive livestock restocking, which had stalled in the past due to legal disputes. He proposed that each homestead in the region receive five cows to rebuild livelihoods lost during the war.

“I have already received positive responses from leaders in Lango and Teso. Government is now planning for it because it is a big project,” he said.

Rallying for unity

The President’s rally was also marked by appeals for party cohesion. NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong urged those who lost in primaries to reconcile and work with the party’s flag bearers. Several individuals who had crossed over from other political parties were introduced and photographed with Museveni as a show of unity.

Museveni ended his address by showcasing vehicles currently being assembled in Uganda, saying this was proof of the country’s progress towards industrial self-reliance.

“Defend, protect the gains, and make a leap forward. Vote for NRM flag bearers and the old man with the hat so that we continue this work,” he urged, to loud cheers from the gathering.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The rally, punctuated by light drizzle which Museveni described as “blessings from God,” was also used to hand over party flags to parliamentary and LC5 flag bearers.

NRM District leaders were tasked with welcoming new converts into the NRM fold and ensuring equal treatment for all members.

Museveni’s message was clear: while roads and infrastructure are important, households must embrace programs like PDM to fight poverty directly. Only then, he said, can development become meaningful and lasting.

President Museveni launched his campaign in Lango from Amolatar on Wednesday and moved to Dokolo the same day. He did Alebtong and Otuke on Thursday and Apac and Kwania on Friday. He was supposed to campaign in Lira district and Lira City combined on Monday but this has been called off. He wil be in Oyam on Tuesday before moving to West Nile.