By Robert Mugabe
Rukungiri Municipality registered a low turn-up of people willing to benefit from the Parish Development Model program (PDM) after delaying for a year since it was launched in 2022.
Rukungiri Municipality has 12 wards which expected to benefit from the Parish Development Model program (PDM) but only 42 people from 2 wards of Kanyinya and Kyatoko.
This was revealed on Tuesday at the launch of the Parish Development Model program in Rukungiri Municipality and the disbursement of 42 million to the 42 beneficiaries as part of the 664 million received by the Municipality.
The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner Steven Nsubuga Bewayo who was the chief guest expressed concern over the low turn up noting that the 664 million received by the Municipality targeted 664 beneficiaries whereas only 42 benefited.
He disclosed that the government initiated the program to help the poor regardless of political affiliations, but the Municipality has a big population of the poor who failed to register. He, therefore, asked local leaders to mobilize for overwhelming cooperation.
The Rukungiri District Secretary for Production, Marketing and Natural Resources Byarugaba Micheal who represented the Area MP Dr Elisa Rutahigwa requested the registration process to be repeated saying that people did not understand the required information which failed the majority.
The Mayor Rukungiri Municipal Council His worshiper Charles Makuru charged the registrars and coordinators to scrutinize well the youth noting that they are good at misusing money.
The Rukungiri Municipality Councilor representing the disabled Emmy Turyabagyenyi called on people with disabilities to register and benefit from the money since they are vulnerable.
The Rukungiri Municipal Council Councilors Innocent Rubarondesa and Gideon Turyamubugana said that people failed to register because the program itself is confusing but asked people to inquire and benefit from the money since it is taxpayers’ money.
