By Emmanuel Olinga
KATAKWI
As part of the PDM program’s third pillar of money inclusion, Katakwi District has cumulatively disbursed Ugx 33,781,000,000 to 33, 912 households in 109 existing savings and credit cooperatives SACCOs.
This was revealed by Patrick Todi, District Commercial Officer Katakwi and coordinator for North Teso districts covering Katakwi, Kapelebyong, Amuria, Serere, Kalaki, and Kaberamaido.
Todi says that since the PDM program’s inception, the district has disbursed Ugx 33,781,000,000 to 33, 912,000 beneficiaries across 109 Parish Development Model Wallet Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) in 16 sub counties and four town councils of Katakwi District.
Todi further stated that the district is now disbursing Ugx 5.4 billion funds sent by the Ministry of Finance for Parish Development Model implementation with each parish receiving Ugx 50 million.
However, under the new Parish Development Model guideline, beneficiaries will receive a loan of Ugx 1 million at 6% after completing Practical Training Centers (PTCs) by community-based facilitators who provide advisory services in collaboration with production extension workers such as agricultural officers and veterinary officers, who will award Parish Training Certificates to approved and vetted beneficiaries prior to receiving PDM funds.
Meanwhile, the Parish Development Funds disbursement has been successful in fast covering the district, with some parishes already fully covered.
Todi stated that seven parishes had been totally covered, with excess monies provided to Rwatama, Opinaya, Aminit, and Kelim in Okore, as well as Olupe, Oedepus, Acanga, Olupe Town Board, and Akisim parish recipients in Ngariam Sub County.
However, he emphasized that excess funds in sub counties will be transferred with approval and invested in select significant parishes with higher populations, such as Kapujan, Orimai, and Okokorio, as directed by the Ministry of Finance.
Todi then urged PDM beneficiaries to begin repaying their loans since two- or three-year loans grace period has expired since 2023.
People are also driven to repay PDM payments because beneficiaries may access or re-borrow more funds as the loan size increases.
According to him, the recovery or repayment rate is low because Ugx 467 million was injected into 109 PDM SACCO accounts, but the dashboard shows that only Ugx 6 million has been paid by five persons.
He stated that beneficiaries are encouraged to pay the cash since PDM defaulters are more likely to lose other government programs, such as livestock restocking, because the NIN is a unique identity that is used to borrow funds and indicates that the borrower stays defaulter.
He stated that they plan to reclaim the money through Wendi, in which beneficiaries used their phone numbers as accounts.
Todi further cautioned individuals against expecting to repay PDM loans with livestock restocking programs because PDM is a revolving fund and cattle restocking is a grant.
