Kampala -The Deputy Speaker of parliament, Anita Among has tasked government to present before Parliament a comprehensive policy and guidelines on Parish Development Model (PDM) for scrutiny.
While chairing the House on Tuesday, Among directed the line ministers to lay on table guidelines and criteria that the government intends to follow to implement the programme that is intended to drive households at parish level into the money economy.
“I want the ministers in charge to lay guidelines on the Parish Development Model which will be sent to the committee for scrutiny. We need our people to get the money, but it must be got correctly,” Among said.
The Deputy Speaker demanded that Members of Parliament be given responsibility to coordinate the implementation of PDM and play their oversight role to ensure there is no mischarge or wastage.
This followed concern raised by MP Solomon Silwany (NRM, Bukooli Central) who complained that the procurement process to contract Post Bank to manage the disbursement of funds to the parishes had been flouted.
MP Eddie Kwizera Wa-Gahungu (NRM, Bukimbiri County) proposed that the Minister for Local Government presents a policy that should be debated by the House for proper management and accountability of the programme.
“PDM is still a presidential proclamation; it’s not by policy or law. It does not describe the role of Parliament and who does what. Wouldn’t it be procedurally right for government to come out with a statement in policy or legislation so that we know who does what?” Kwizera asked.
The Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga concurred with Kwizera’s procedural point demanding that the Minister lays guidelines on PDM for the House to scrutinize before the programme is implemented, adding that it is illogical to give Shs100 million to every parish in disregard of the population sizes in the parishes.
“This programme is devoid of planning and it is impulsive. It will not help unless Parliament puts its foot down. This programme can be rolled out but after proper scrutiny of the entire framework of the project,” Mpuuga said.
The Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), Henry Musasizi assured the House that all the money for PDM will be disbursed directly from the ministry to the bank accounts of each parish without any intermediaries.
The Parish Development Model project was launched by the President on Saturday, 26 February 2022 in Kibuku District. Under the programme, each parish is expected to receive Shs100 million to benefit various categories of people to eradicate poverty.
