*PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI SET TO VISIT BUGISU SUB-REGION FOR PDM ASSESSMENT*

*By John Kusolo*

The Presidential Press Unit (PPU) has announced that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, will embark on a visit to the Bugisu sub-region as part of his Parish Development Model (PDM) performance assessment tour. The visit, scheduled from Tuesday, December 17 to Friday, December 20, 2024, will focus on monitoring the progress of the PDM and interacting with beneficiaries and leaders.

The Parish Development Model, a flagship government initiative, aims to transform Uganda's economy by eradicating poverty at the grassroots level, especially in rural communities. This tour underscores President Museveni's commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of PDM to uplift households across Uganda.

December 17, 2024:

The President will visit farmers in Bududa, Manafwa, and Sironko Districts. These districts are known for agriculture, particularly coffee farming, which is a major source of income for residents. The President will assess how PDM funds are being utilized to enhance agricultural productivity and household incomes.

December 18, 2024:

President Museveni will tour the Bugisu Industrial Hub, a critical facility geared toward promoting industrialization in the region. The hub focuses on value addition for agricultural products and skills development for the youth. Later in the day, he will hold a Leaders’ Meeting in Bulambuli District, where stakeholders, including political, technical, and community leaders, will share progress reports and challenges faced in implementing PDM.

December 19, 2024:

The President will engage with media houses from the Bugisu region to highlight achievements, address challenges, and clarify government priorities. To conclude the day, he will hold a public rally at Mbale Senior Secondary School, where he will address citizens and rally support for the effective execution of government programs, including PDM.

President Museveni's visit comes at a crucial time as Uganda continues to push for socio-economic transformation through initiatives like the PDM. The Bugisu sub-region, renowned for its fertile lands and vibrant agricultural activity, has the potential to be a model for the success of the Parish Development Model. By directly engaging with farmers, local leaders, and stakeholders, the President aims to ensure that the program delivers tangible benefits.

The Parish Development Model is anchored on seven pillars, including production, storage, processing, and marketing. It also addresses issues of financial inclusion, social services, and local infrastructure, thereby fostering holistic development. Museveni's tour will focus on assessing how these pillars are being implemented in Bugisu and identifying gaps that need government intervention.

Residents of Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko, and Bulambuli districts are expected to highlight the challenges they face, such as access to markets, climate change effects, and the need for infrastructure improvements. The interaction will also allow stakeholders to provide feedback on the impact of the PDM and suggest ways to make the initiative more effective.

The public rally in Mbale is anticipated to attract thousands of residents eager to hear from the President and understand government efforts to boost the economy in the region.

President Yoweri Museveni's visit to Bugisu underscores his administration's commitment to ensuring economic transformation through the Parish Development Model. The tour will serve as an opportunity to evaluate progress, address challenges, and reaffirm the government's support for grassroots development.

By prioritizing direct engagement with the people and stakeholders, the President continues to emphasize accountability and citizen involvement in achieving Uganda's Vision 2040 goals.