By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo District’s ongoing Parish Development Model (PDM) stabilization phase is experiencing significant delays due to a persistent Parish Revolving Fund (PRF) backlog capture.

This constraint continues to hinder the timely transition of subsistence households into the money economy, according to the latest implementation update from the District Production Officer, Dr. Walter Kumakech, who also serves as the PDM focal point person for the district.

Dr. Walter attributed the issue to " reluctance of some parish chiefs to undertake PFR backlog capture", adding that there is also " poor recovery of PRF owing to misinformation and poor mindset of some beneficiaries" 

The PRF backlog remains a critical constraint. The first two PRF disbursements in FY 2022/23 were executed manually outside the PDMIS-FIS system, with UGX 3,399,280,000 wired directly to 4,588 beneficiaries.

As at February 2026, 1,197 PRF beneficiaries paid off-system still constitute an outstanding backlog yet to be captured on PDMIS-FIS.

In a circular dated 26 February 2026 (Ref: EDP 86/103/01 VOL 4), the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury directed that all PRF backlogs must be cleared by 30 April 2026, warning of potential suspension of WENDI PDM SACCO accounts for non-compliance.

Addressing stakeholders, Dr. Kumakech highlighted how the backlog is “slowing our PDM progress in the district” and directed all town agents and parish chiefs who have not submitted their reports to do so within a two-week ultimatum up to 15 April to meet the 30 April deadline.

“Our report for quarter III that has ended today, we must have them submitted not later than 15 of April,” Kumakech, visibly concerned, told the chiefs and PDM leaders, warning against further consequences. He added, “as per the directive issued.”

The District ICT Officer noted that persistent delays in report submission have resulted in a high case backlog within the system, affecting efficient programme implementation.

Samson Nsamba, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Zombo, reminded councilors of their obligations: “Where you’re supposed to be in control of your parish, some of you don’t even have information, but I want each of you to take care of your role into every situation you have.”

Some of the town agents , parish chiefs and PDM Sacco leaders at the meeting.

Zombo’s Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Festus Ayikobua, criticized most town agents and parish chiefs for failing to fulfil their obligations on report submissions. He directed the production department to avail his office with the lists of the parish chiefs who have failed to submit reports for keen follow-up and appropriate actions.

Ayikobua stated: “This is the second quarter and you don’t have a report, some of your actions make us look like a fool when we go for a national event. From here, Production officer, I want the list of those chiefs who have failed to submit their report such that we follow them carefully.” He urged the CAO’s office to ensure technocrats perform their roles.

These pressing concerns, combined with other hindrances, were discussed during the Zombo district stakeholders meeting held on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, at the Zombo District Council Hall.

The meeting brought together the District Security Committee, PDM SACCO chairpersons, parish chiefs, town agents, and media.

Additional challenges highlighted include extortion and collusion in beneficiary selection, non-compliance with guidelines, staffing gaps due to promotions, and mismanagement of funds by some beneficiaries who fail to invest in intended enterprises.

Since its launch in February 2022, the PDM, a seven-pillar multi-sectoral strategy has aimed to empower every Ugandan household.

Zombo District Local Government has rolled out the programme across all 61 PDM SACCOs over the last five financial years (effective 2021/22 to date), evolving to leverage digital systems for greater transparency and accountability.

The District Security Committee members, led by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Festus Ayikobua, at the meeting.

Financial Performance

Over the five years, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has injected a total of UGX 21,781,309,000 directly into the 61 PDM SACCOs across Zombo District.

As at 31 December 2025, each SACCO had received UGX 357,669,000 in Parish Revolving Funds (PRF). The latest tranche of UGX 3,050,000,000, received in November 2025, remains at various stages of disbursement.

Dr. Kumakech noted that while some SACCOs adhered to guidelines, others exhibited non-compliance, including premature disbursement without prior capacity-building training for beneficiaries.

He cited the case of Pamach-Atyak PDM SACCO and warned against “further breaches.”

Key hindrances include lost phone numbers and National IDs, beneficiary migration, deaths, refusal to be captured, and laxity among some parish chiefs/town agents.

The District Production Officer urged parish chiefs to prioritize backlog clearance to avert sanctions.

“The two-year grace period for PRF beneficiaries supported in 2023 and 2024 has expired, yet recoveries stand at less than 2% across SACCOs,” Dr. Kumakech stated.

He noted that most SACCOs have not initiated recovery efforts, undermining the revolving nature of the fund and slowing socio-economic transformation.

The poor recovery rate is largely attributed to a negative beneficiary mindset, with many viewing the PRF as a grant rather than a repayable loan.

PDM SACCO leaders have been called upon to intensify recovery actions.

Beneficiary Reach

As at December 2025, 15,533 beneficiaries (8,138 males and 7,395 females) have been supported. This represents 35.9% of the district’s 43,212 subsistence households , as per UBOS 2024 Census, where 60.4% of households are categorized as subsistence.

Youth and PWDs remain below the targeted 30% and 10% respectively and Approximately 89% of supported beneficiaries are engaged in Irish Potato, Piggery, Beans, Coffee, Horticulture, and Poultry enterprises.

To accelerate progress, Dr. Kumakech recommended in his report that GISOs support parish chiefs in capturing non-cooperative beneficiaries on PDMIS-FIS; CDOs intensify mindset change training and ensure investments align with business plans; rollout of agricultural insurance schemes to build enterprise resilience against climate shocks; continuous advisory services by Agricultural Extension Officers; and revision of PDM guidelines to shift from cash to input-based support.

The District Production Officer, Dr. Walter Kumakech, emphasized the need for urgent action to clear the backlog and improve recoveries to unblock PDM momentum in the stabilization phase.

Dr. Walter Kumakech (L), District Production Officer, and Mr. Lamet Olum (R) address stakeholders at the district headquarters during a report on the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) on March 31, 2025.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub