KOLOLO, KAMPALA (UGNEWSLlNE) – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has challenged Members of Parliament to spend more time in their constituencies, listen to voters’ concerns and closely monitor the delivery of government programmes.
Museveni, who is also National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), made the call on Friday while addressing the NRM Parliamentary Caucus at Kololo Independence Grounds.
He urged MPs to maintain regular contact with communities and pay particular attention to challenges affecting household incomes, poverty, crime and access to government services.
Track PDM funds
Museveni placed particular emphasis on the Parish Development Model (PDM), calling on legislators to strengthen oversight of the programme and establish whether its benefits are reaching the intended households.
He asked MPs to identify households that have received support and those that have not, while ensuring that beneficiaries invest the funds in productive enterprises capable of generating sustainable income.
Museveni cited a woman who invested in piggery after receiving support under the programme as an example of how targeted financial assistance, in his view, can improve household livelihoods.
The call comes amid continued parliamentary scrutiny of PDM implementation. In September, lawmakers raised concerns about low recovery of PDM funds in Nakaseke District, while Parliament’s Finance Committee earlier called for a review of the programme’s funding formula to better account for differences in population, poverty levels and vulnerability among parishes.
Push for higher agricultural productivity
The President also urged MPs to promote agricultural productivity through irrigation, improved farming practices and value addition.
He argued that dependence on rainfall leaves farmers vulnerable to unstable yields.
“Without irrigation, you cannot have stability in your yields,” Museveni said.
He cited a government farm partnership where, according to his account, production had reached 53 tonnes per hectare, compared with about five tonnes in other areas.
Museveni further called for greater investment in local processing and manufacturing, saying Uganda could retain more economic value by processing agricultural commodities such as coffee and cotton domestically rather than exporting them in raw form.
Wetlands and alternative livelihoods
The President also urged leaders to protect wetlands because of their role in sustaining water systems, while encouraging alternative sources of livelihood for communities that depend on wetland cultivation.
He pointed to fish farming as one possible alternative.
On security, Museveni called on MPs to remain in close contact with residents and understand local crime concerns, including cattle and coffee theft.
He also highlighted nuclear energy, railway development and petroleum processing in Hoima among areas he said could contribute to expanding Uganda’s productive capacity.
Regional markets
Museveni also stressed the importance of regional economic integration, saying expanded markets and easier trade could create more opportunities for employment and economic activity.
He ultimately urged MPs to ensure that government policies and programmes produce tangible benefits for citizens through stronger community engagement, accountability and effective service delivery.
The remarks come as Parliament continues to scrutinise the implementation, monitoring and recovery of funds under PDM, including concerns over delays, accountability and beneficiary access.
