President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a strong warning to government officials and local leaders accused of mismanaging funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM), vowing a nationwide crackdown to protect beneficiaries and restore trust in the flagship poverty-eradication programme.
Speaking on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Kabarole State Lodge in Fort Portal City, the President said he had received overwhelming reports from citizens indicating that many households were receiving far less than the required one million shillings.
“I have done my job, which is to send money directly to help the poor. But some leaders have decided to do their own thing,” Museveni said. “That mistake is not in Congo or Sudan. We are going to check.”
Museveni, the NRM National Chairman and 2026 presidential flagbearer, expressed frustration over what he called “widespread theft, deliberate underpayment and sabotage” of a programme designed to lift millions into the money economy.
He said reports gathered during PDM monitoring tours and his ongoing campaigns revealed cases of fraud in several districts, including Karugutu, Iganga, Maracha and Entebbe.
“When I ask the people, they tell me they’re chopping their money. I am auditing those who got this money and how much,” he warned. “We shall go for them, and they will regret — those stealing money meant for the poor.”
The President said evidence-gathering was already underway and that once investigations conclude, offenders would face arrest and be compelled to refund the money.
“Information will leak, and we will get them. These thieves are stealing what was given publicly,” Museveni said, likening the fraud to irregularities in past NRM primaries. “This habit of stealing PDM money will stop because those who do it will be arrested and will bring back the money.”
Beyond the PDM concerns, Museveni used the address to highlight NRM’s achievements and the key pillars of the party’s 2026–2031 manifesto, themed “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.”
He listed seven focus areas, including peace and security, wealth creation, expanded markets, service delivery improvement, job creation, industrial growth and regional integration.
Museveni reaffirmed his commitment to cleaning up the PDM, insisting that accountability will be enforced and that public funds meant for the poor will be protected.
