President Museveni launching the PDM ProgrammeThe Parish Development Model (PDM) has reached 3,571,108 beneficiaries, with government capitalising the Parish Revolving Fund with Shs4.317 trillion to support household enterprises and accelerate Uganda’s transition from subsistence to the money economy.The funds have been channelled through 10,589 PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs). Each SACCO has received at least Shs400 million over the four-year period.Beneficiaries access loans of up to Shs1 million at 6% per annum, repayable over three years with a two-year grace period.The progress and emerging priorities were discussed during a PDM inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Minister of State for Microfinance, Hon. Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.The meeting brought together ministers and technical officers responsible for implementing the seven PDM pillars to assess implementation, strengthen coordination and identify reforms needed to improve sustainability, accountability and household impact.According to the Ministry of Finance’s Financial Inclusion Pillar report, adults aged 31-59 years form the largest share of beneficiaries at 1,946,086 (54.50%), followed by youth aged 18-30 years at 1,086,998 (30.44%) and the elderly aged above 60 years at 538,024 (15.07%).Women account for the majority of beneficiaries at 1,924,188 (53.88%), compared to 1,646,920 men (46.12%).The Financial Inclusion Pillar has recorded 222,389 enterprise groups, of which 183,430 have been profiled on the PDM Information System.Digital systems are being used to strengthen transparency, tracking and accountability. The Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) transfers funds to PDM SACCO accounts, while the PDM Information System registers eligible beneficiaries.Wendi, managed by Pearl Bank, disburses loans directly to beneficiaries’ mobile phones, while Zaidi provides real-time tracking and verification. Government has recruited 14,133 Wendi agents and distributed 27,100 tablets for registration and monitoring.Minister of State for National Guidance, Alion Yorke Odria, commended cooperation among ministries and proposed using government agencies and regional radio platforms to strengthen public sensitisation on loan repayment, programme updates and policy changes.Minister of State for Animal Industry, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, said government has registered 645 premises handling agricultural chemicals and seeds to reduce counterfeit inputs. He also said government has procured and distributed 50.6 million Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine doses and established solar-powered cold-chain facilities in 53 districts.As of June 2026, PDM beneficiaries had invested Shs425.27 billion in poultry, Shs461.12 billion in piggery and Shs453.52 billion in coffee, according to the Financial Inclusion Pillar report.Minister of Local Government, Hon. Barugahara Balaam, called for stronger accountability and warned against extortion, illegal charges, favouritism, political interference, fraud and diversion of PDM funds.He urged local government officials to take ownership of implementation and ensure success is measured through increased production, savings, value addition, market access, enterprise growth and improved household incomes.Minister of State for Gender and Culture, Hon. Mary Kamuli Kuteesa, emphasised the need to prepare beneficiaries before disbursement, strengthen training, involve political leaders in monitoring and improve follow-up after training.PDM National Coordinator Dennis Galabuzi said the programme was moving towards a coordinated, whole-of-government approach organised around value chains covering inputs, production, storage, electricity, processing, value addition and markets.The post Inside Shs4.3 Trillion PDM Cash: Women Take 54%, Youth 30%, Poultry & Coffee Lead appeared first on Business Focus.