By Mulengera Reporters
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has finally ordered a probe into the alleged theft and mismanagement of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in Mukono District, directing the National PDM Coordinator, Hon. Galabuzi Ssozi, to investigate reports of illegal committees and diversion of money meant for household wealth creation.
The directive came during a massive NRM campaign rally at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Naggalama Grounds in Mukono District on Friday, January 2, 2026, where the President openly acknowledged growing complaints from residents that PDM funds are being stolen by some parish officials and SACCO leaders.
“The money is there. I am sending it, and it is reaching the villages, but some people are diverting it,” President Museveni said, warning that those found culpable would be dealt with.
Museveni’s tough stance follows heightened public scrutiny of PDM operations after opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, recently questioned the programme during his tours in Busoga, dismissing PDM funds as handouts. The President used the Mukono rally to counter that narrative, insisting that PDM is a serious wealth-creation programme but is being undermined by internal sabotage at the parish level.
He revealed that Galabuzi Ssozi will specifically investigate whether PDM SACCO committees in Mukono were lawfully elected, noting that any leadership that emerged without a general parish meeting is illegal.
“If SACCO leaders elected themselves without a general meeting, that is illegal and easy to verify,” Museveni said, urging residents to actively participate in parish meetings and stop leaving critical decisions to a few individuals.
Official figures indicate that Mukono District and Municipality, which comprise 97 parishes, have received Shs34.59 billion under PDM, with Shs28.52 billion already disbursed to 31,248 households. The President warned that continued theft not only robs families of capital but also threatens the credibility of one of government’s flagship poverty-eradication programmes.
Beyond PDM, Museveni reiterated his government’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly road construction aimed at decongesting Kampala by creating alternative routes through Mukono, Wakiso, and neighboring districts. He said outer ring roads and inter-district connectors are critical to easing traffic and boosting trade.
“We need roads that allow vehicles to avoid Kampala city altogether,” he said, citing ongoing works on the Kampala–Jinja highway and roads such as Mukono–Katosi, Kayunga–Kangulumira–Jinja, and Kayunga–Baale–Galiraya.
Responding to appeals from Mukono NRM Chairperson Hajji Haruna Ssemakula for more feeder roads, Museveni assured residents that routes like Misindye–Kiyunga–Naggalama–Zirobwe are already captured in government plans.
The President also cautioned youths against political apathy, saying failure to attend parish meetings enables corruption at the grassroots.
“You may find that a general meeting was called, but you didn’t bother to attend,” he said, stressing that civic participation is key to protecting public programmes like PDM.
Using the rally to sell the NRM manifesto ahead of the January 15, 2026 elections, Museveni highlighted achievements in peace, education, health, water, and industrialization, but warned that infrastructure alone cannot eliminate poverty without household-level income generation.
“Do not be blindfolded by development. Look into your home and assess how you stand economically,” he said, urging families to embrace commercial agriculture and enterprise.
NRM leaders described Mukono as a strategic battleground and expressed confidence that firm action against PDM diverters, combined with ongoing service delivery, will strengthen the party’s performance in the 2026 elections. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
