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BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025
The Parish Development Model (PDM), government’s latest flagship program for poverty eradication has given financing capital to 14,812 people in Arua city since 2022.
The beneficiaries are from 54 savings and credit cooperative organisations (SACCOS), six of whom are from the Central Division while the 48 are from Ayivu Division.
This is according to Dr Lois Taban, the City Veterinary officer who doubles as the PDM focal person for Arua City.
Dr Taban said sh16,761m was received under PDM funding of which a total of sh14,812m has already been given to the communities for investment into various enterprises including farming, produce buying and selling, bodaboda riding, among others.
However there is the sh1,949m that is pending disbursement. These will be given to the beneficiaries who have already been identified and are undergoing training.
This is an advancement from the previous guidelines where such trainings were not a necessity. PDM has instituted a community based management model for selection of beneficiaries at the ward or parish level.
The selected individuals are placed for peer-to-peer learning at what is called practical training centers which consist of model farmers and cottage industries where people can gain practical skills.
Such are exemplary people who either use their own money for capitalizing their enterprises or had previously benefited from PDM.
“We have selected 104 practical training centers and 104 community based facilitators who are assisting the people in training and market linkages,” disclosed Dr Taban.
He said after completion of the training, the Saccos will be launched by the resident city commissioner after which the funds will be disbursed.
The recovery of the first disbursements will begin in October and November.
Sam Wadri Nyakua, the Arua City Mayor, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the people funded under PDM.
“Sh.1,000,000 you know is big money for a rural person who has not gotten such money in their life, before. So if utilized well this money can create a big impact among the community,” said Nyakua.
He promised that the City council would be closely following what he called the few outliers who have not used the funds well and ensure that all the money is recovered and ploughed back into the system as revolving fund to more beneficiaries.
