KASESE: Up to 44 motorcycles have been delivered to LC III chairpersons in Kasese district to aid them in monitoring the implementation of the Parish Development Model Programme-PDM.
The programme is a new government initiative intended to uplift 39 per cent of Ugandans who are now in a subsistence economy and usher them into the money economy. Under this project, the government is sending 17 million shillings to every parish, from where locals will access it and use it to fund individual projects in a bid to fight poverty.
The first batch of the motorcycles was delivered to the chairpersons by the minister of tourism, wildlife and antiquities, Tom Butiime, at the Kasese multi-purpose hall on Friday. Bitiime asked the area leaders to ensure that the government programme is understood and appreciated by the population, noting that since the government has enhanced their facilitation, their output should be much higher.
State minister for ICT, Geoffrey Kabwanga, said that for a long time, local government leaders have had challenges with mobility, and this in itself has affected the implementation of government programs.
Karumba Town Council Assistant Town Clerk Martin Muhindo says that the motorcycle will go a long way in helping him reach out to all PDM-benefiting households and also monitor other government programs. However, he thinks that the government should consider extending this kind of facilitation to other local leaders, including LCI chairpersons.
Kicwamba Sub-County Chairperson Yofesi Katonene says that although local leaders are at the forefront of ensuring that the Parish Development Model succeeds, they have been struggling to reach all areas of the sub-county due to transport challenges.