Fort Portal, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a strong warning against the theft and mismanagement of funds under the Parish Development Model, or PDM, vowing a nationwide crackdown on officials implicated in corruption.
Concluding his campaign trail across the Rwenzori and Tooro subregions with a media address at Kabarole State Lodge in Fort Portal City, the president promised decisive action to protect the poor and restore confidence in the poverty alleviation programme.
Mr. Museveni, who is the National Resistance Movement national chairman and presidential flagbearer, expressed anger over reports that many intended beneficiaries were receiving less than the mandatory one million shillings.
“I have done my job, which is to get a solution to help the poor by sending them money directly, but unfortunately, some of the leaders have decided to do their own thing,” the president said. “That mistake is not in Congo or Sudan. We are going to check.”
‘They will regret’
The president said he had been gathering evidence during his PDM tours and recent campaigns, noting that citizens across the country had reported cases of fraud, theft and deliberate underpayment intended for poor households.
“During the PDM tours, even now during the campaigns, when I ask, they tell me they’re chopping their money,” he said. “I am auditing those who got this money and how much. So, we shall go for them, and they will regret — those who are stealing money meant for the poor.”
Mr. Museveni cited specific reports of irregularities emerging from areas including Karugutu, Iganga, Maracha and Entebbe, and promised arrests once investigations are concluded.
“I want to assure those who are listening to me — this habit of stealing PDM money will stop because those who do it will be arrested and will bring back the money,” he emphasised, describing the alleged perpetrators as “stupid” for thinking they could evade detection.
Economic and market future
Beyond the corruption crackdown, the president used his address to highlight the NRM’s key priorities for the 2026–31 term, focusing on sustaining peace, expanding development, and wealth creation through commercial agriculture, manufacturing and services.
He also voiced concern about the focus of many young people in Africa, questioning why they do not pay more attention to the economic and political issues shaping the continent’s future.
Mr. Museveni stressed that Uganda’s increasing production capacity requires expanded markets, pointing to surpluses in commodities such as sugar, cement and milk. He noted that Uganda produces about 60,000 tonnes of sugar annually but only consumes about 30,000 tonnes.
He applauded the progress made under the African Continental Free Trade Area, or AfCFTA, describing it as a vital step towards achieving large-scale industrialisation and sustainable economic prosperity across the continent.
“We have negotiated with the whole of Africa for the Continental Free Trade Area,” he said. “An integrated African market is essential for large-scale production and global competitiveness.”
