The goal of Parish Development Model (PDM) is socio economic transformation for movement of Uganda from peasant to middle income country. It is based on improved productivity of households and enterprise at parish level as a fulcrum of development intervention. However, participation of poor women, just like in previous interventions may affect the attainment of the goal of this strategic intervention. There is therefore need to raise community awareness most especially that of women and young people about the PDM, how it operates, its goal and target for purposes of improving accountability, people perception on Government programmes and increased access to programme support.

From such a background CIDD-UG under her one year project whose objective is to create awareness and strengthen women and young people’s engagement in local development planning, organized a joint local Government and CSO mass mobilization and sensitization of communities especially women and young people about PDM in Kibuku District. This activity focused majorly on PDM operation modalities, its goal and target, for purposes of improving accountability, people perception on Government programmes and increased women and young people access to programme support.

Altogether 410 women and young people have been mobilized and sensitized on PDM in Kibuku District. Our meetings have played a key complementary role of creating awareness among women and young people about PDM, enhanced community vigilance and aroused women interest to meaningfully engage leaders on improved transparent and accountable programme delivery and management for desired outcomes.

According to Christine of Buseta Sub County, “We shall now engage with our leaders about PDM from a position of knowledge because we have just been hearing big rumors about PDM yet it was not clear to me at all. We knew that PDM is Museveni’s programme and that he was going to pour money in our villages to make us rich without hustling. Even some leaders have been telling us that this time round money is not going to be our problem. When the president left Kibuku after the National lunch of the PDM, I knew that sacks of money were to be ferried to our communities in the next few days. For over two months now, I have waited for the money but not realized even a coin and this meeting has clarified how we shall benefit from the PDM. This demystifies my previous assumption about the programme and thanks to CIDD-UG for enlightening us. Women elsewhere require this information if they are to meaningfully engage their leaders on the PDM. I encourage women to continue challenging their leaders on inclusive PDM implementation”.