Views: 4
By Julius Mugaga/KMA Updates.
Kampala, Uganda: The CSOs consortium spearheaded by Action Against Hunger USA-Uganda Mission- ACF USA- Uganda Mission proposed to the Government of Uganda through Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) that is implementing Parish Development Model (PDM) to be included in the entire process where their overall objective will be to mobilize the Technical Expertise and Resources resident in Civil Society to Support the efficient Implementation of the PDM by the Local Governments.
A team of three CSOs, Action Against Hunger USA-Uganda Mission- ACF USA- Uganda Mission, Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) and Food Rights Alliance (FRA) yesterday met officials from Ministry of Local Government in a Round Table discussion and was resolved that the bloc should design a concept note identify where they think can involve themselves in addition to possible amendments in the PDM Guidelines.
(R) Julius Mukunda, Executive Director of Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) and his team during a Round Table discussion with Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) on PDM Implementation partnership at Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
A team from Food Rights Alliance led by the Chairperson Mr. Kimera Henry Richard (R), at a Round Table discussion with MoLG on PDM Implementation partnership at Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
Both parties agreed to the task and believe the concept note will be key in guiding successive engagements to the proposed working relationship between the Consortium and the Government.
The CSOs stress that since they are implementing the National Development Plan (NDPIII) whose goal is to increase household incomes and improve quality of life of Ugandans which tallies with the PDM goal of increasing household incomes and improve quality of life of Ugandans with a specific focus on the total transformation of the subsistence households (both on-farm and off-farm, in rural and urban settings) into the money economy, as well as eradication of poverty and vulnerability in Uganda, their involvement in the entire implementation process will be vital for its success.
Commissioners from Ministry of Local Government pay attention to presentations by the CSOs consortium during a Round Table discussion on PDM Implementation partnership at Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
It will be remembered that Ministry of Local Government is currently implementing a 5-year Right to Grow Project in 10 districts of Kamwenge, Buliisa, Kakumiro, Adjumani, Yumbe, Kikuube, Nwoya, Maracha, Bugweri and Kabale. Action Against Hunger, ACF USA-Uganda Mission a member of the CSOs consortium is one those implementing it on its behalf and some pillars of the PDM like Financial Inclusion, Social Services- Primary Health Care & Nutrition, Mindset Change and Community Mobilization are embedded there.
“Therefore this becomes an advantage for Ministry of Local Government to partner with us in PDM implementation process”. CSO’s admit.
Cyprian Chillanyang, Commissioner Policy and Planning- Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) called on state and non-state actors to build a smooth working relationship and this will stir acquisition of desired goals in line with the Parish Development Model.
Cyprian Chillanyang, Commissioner Policy and Planning- Ministry of Local Government delivers his speech during a Round Table discussion CSOs consortium on PDM Implementation partnership at Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday. Photo by Julius Mugaga
He went on to ask the CSOs to come up with a well elaborate work plan that will highlight what their responsibilities are in the community such that there should be no duplication of their operations by the government.
He says CSOs should share information, their budget and strategic plans as this will help the two parties move together and have impact on the community regarding the PDM.
Asked on the effectiveness of PDM in relation to other government programs that have not succeeded in the past, Chillinyang says the PDM is designed in a way that it cuts across all the demographic settings of the economy in different spheres which is different from the other government programs that targeted certain groups therefore its success is inevitable.
He says, since a parish is the lowest reference unit for planning, budgeting and delivery of interventions to drive socio-economic transformation, the PDM will create Wealth, Employment and increase Household Incomes as it is designed to do.
The PDM has seven Pillars of (Production, Storage, Processing and Marketing), (Infrastructure and Economic Services), (Financial Inclusion), (Social Services),( Mindset change), (Parish Based Management Information System) then (Governance and Administration) which he believes the CSOs consortium can ably come and aid in their effective implementation.
Albert Siminyu, the Country Director, Action Against Hunger USA-Uganda Mission- ACF USA- Uganda Mission delivers his presentation during Round Table meeting with Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) Officials on PDM Implementation partnership at Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday. Photo by Julius Mugaga
While addressing Media after the round table meeting with Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) Officials, Albert Siminyu, the Country Director, Action Against Hunger USA-Uganda Mission- ACF USA- Uganda Mission highlighted that the Consortium has agreed with the Ministry officials that they need to conduct an assessment that will help MoLG identify already existing strength and assets on the delivery side of the PDM but also on the demand recipient side of the Model and use the results of the assessment to inform the different capacity development programs which the MoLG will be Championing to ensure all actors and stakeholders in the PDM are going to play their role well.
Siminyu says PDM is coming at a time when the country has a wide coverage of CSO’s, national and international NGOs who are already working to support different pillars of PDM so they would like to create a space for dialogue on how they can work together, what is likely to change in the way CSOs engage with the government, constraints and bottlenecks that need to be addressed on in order to enhance the contribution of non-state actors to the realization of Parish Development Model.
Ms. Mariam Akiror, Advocacy & Communications Coordinator at Action Against Hunger USA-Uganda Mission- ACF USA- Uganda moderates the Round Table meeting between CSOs Consortium and Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) Officials on PDM Implementation partnership at Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
He says it has also been agreed that Action Against Hunger USA-Uganda Mission- ACF USA- Uganda will work together with Food Rights Alliance (FRA) and Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) to map out the areas where the three organizations are already working so that they can identify already existing structures in the programs already being implemented in different areas so that they can have a conversation on how to better efforts of the three towards the seven pillars of the PDM. This is therefore the planning process the two parties are to engage in very soon.
It should be remembered that during his detailed presentation to Ministry of Local Government officials, Siminyu cited that much as there PDM groups at the grassroots, there are some gaps where as a consortium can come in and bridge the gap by creating and organizing absent groups in some communities.
(L-R) Julius Mukunda, Executive Director of Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) and Albert Siminyu, the Country Director, Action Against Hunger USA-Uganda Mission- ACF USA- Uganda Mission listening to presentation from MoLG officials. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
In the same way, he also proposed to Ministry of Local Government that it would avail the consortium with resources for capacity building assessment during the partnership they are seeking.
On whether refugees will be part of the PDM implementation, Siminyu highlights that the PDM has seven pillars of which one of them is enhancing Agricultural production, Productivity and connecting farmers to the market therefore since ACF is already working with Refugee communities, this will be an opportunity for them to support the small scale refugee farmers and the host communities to benefit from the gains prescribed in the PDM.
So we will be working towards availing opportunities for refugees and host communities to benefit from the PDM especially Pillar one.
Julius Mukunda, the Executive Director of Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) gives remarks during the Round Table meeting with MoLG Officials at Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday. Photo by Julius Mugaga
Julius Mukunda, the Executive Director of Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) told Ministry officials that being Ugandans working in amongst the people and support development, there is no doubt that this consortium understands their practices and their capacities so partnering with them is of a great advantage.
He says the consortium will be key in providing technical support because it is vast with experience and expertise to execute their obligation in this marriage.
He adds that there is need for decentralization of activities in line with the implementation of the PDM arguing that the program is meant to be at the grass root. In this he says, the consortium is already implementing different projects within the community and this becomes effective when empowered to work hand in hand with the Ministry.
The manpower of the consortium already in the community is a good starting point to the success of the PDM since their relationship with the people is established in addition to identifying the existing gaps worth being filled.
Dorah .M., Staff from the ACF Horn and East Africa Regional Africa attends the Round Table meeting between CSOs Consortium and Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) Officials on PDM Implementation partnership at Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
Kimera Henry Richard, the Chairperson of Food Rights Alliance (FRA) – a member of the Consortium told media that their participation in the Parish Development Model (PDM) is a vehicle to building on the success of the organization having been spread countrywide.
He says every part of their work is well entrenched in every pillar of the PDM.
Kimera Henry Richard, the Chairperson of Food Rights Alliance (FRA) delivers his remark during the Round Table meeting with MoLG Officials at Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday. Photo by Julius Mugaga
He says they have been doing budget advocacy, with other players in this consortium, advocating for production and productivity at different levels to provide extension services also partnering with Ministry of Agriculture considering all factors of production for the success of PDM,
“The factor of reaching out to the community, generating knowledge management fall in line with the implementation of PDM since the consortium is equipped with expertise and experience. Our members are already engaging the youths at the grassroot transforming their mindset towards the program”. Kimera admits.
He therefore notes that as FRA, their mandate is to advocate for safe, nutritious and sustainable health diet since it is one of the notable pillars of the PDM. He assures that there is no doubt that their contribution towards this will greatly impact the entire implementation process.
Image of President of Uganda H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Kibuku district, Bukedi Sub Region launching Parish Development Model on 26th,February 2022/Courtesy Photo.
Parish Development Model is one of the strategic programs that were designed in the NRM party 2021/2026 manifesto for inclusive economic transformation of Ugandan.
On 26th,February 2022, the Model was launched by the President of Uganda H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Kibuku district, Bukedi Sub Region. 10,594 parishes countrywide will be beneficiaries of it.
PDM is a multi-sectoral strategy to create socio-economic transformation by moving 39% households out of subsistence economy into the money economy using the Parish as the epicenter for development.
According to Hon. Rafael Magyezi, Minister of Local Government which is the overseer of the Model, they will start by giving out Shs17million to each Parish this financial year and then Shs100 million is planned for in the next financial year.