By Aggrey Baba
[Don’t give a man fish to eat, teach him how to fish], goes an old proverb.
But according to Natio al Unity Platform’s (NUP) ,David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga, the Busujju MP, the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM) might be doing just the opposite by distributing money without addressing the real challenges that local businesses face.
In a sharp critique aired, Tuesday, January 4, 2025, on BBS TV, the opposition Mp questioned the effectiveness of the PDM plan, urging the gov’t to rethink its strategy.
He emphasized that rather than giving people money for development, the government should focus on reducing the costs of essential goods related to their work. “We need to cut down on the cost of things like electricity, taxes, and other resources that people depend on. Only then will they be able to increase their investments and improve their businesses,” Kalwanga explained.
He pointed to the welding industry as a case in point. “If electricity costs drop, businesses like welding will thrive because they will be able to produce more at a lower cost. This is the kind of support our local businesses need.”
Kalwanga’s remarks come at a time when the President is on a national tour to evaluate the progress of the PDM, a program that has been receiving mixed reactions from across the country.
While the gov’t has praised the initiative for fostering rural development, critics like Kalwanga are questioning whether the model truly addresses the underlying challenges that businesses face.
“The economic situation we find ourselves in is tough, but those managing it are not backing down,” Kalwanga continued, urging the government to reconsider its approach for a more sustainable and impactful solution.
As the President continues his tour, it remains to be seen whether the concerns raised by leaders like Kalwanga will lead to any changes in the implementation of the PDM. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
