As part of the Office of the National Chairman’s (ONC) continuous monitoring and evaluation of beneficiaries under the Parish Development Model (PDM), the Namutumba District ONC Coordinator, Ms. Lillian Naigaga, recently visited a beneficiary whose outstanding progress exemplifies the transformative impact of government wealth-creation initiatives at the grassroots level.
Mr. Wamujja Henry, a 60-year-old resident of Siira Village in Buwongo Parish, Nsinze Sub-county, received UGX 1 million through the Parish Development Model on August 1, 2023. Prior to receiving the funds, he had already invested in the construction of fish ponds but lacked the financial capacity to stock them and commence commercial production.
Upon receiving the PDM support, Mr. Wamujja strategically invested UGX 600,000 in the purchase of 3,000 fish fingerlings. He allocated the remaining funds, supplemented by UGX 100,000 from his personal savings, towards the purchase of two sacks of fish feed valued at UGX 250,000 each. This investment enabled him to operationalize his fish farming venture and embark on a productive income-generating enterprise.
Initially, Mr. Wamujja projected a harvest of 1,500 kilograms of fish, with an anticipated revenue of approximately UGX 9 million. While the actual harvest amounted to 1,065 kilograms, the enterprise nevertheless delivered impressive results. He successfully sold the fish at UGX 6,000 per kilogram, generating a total income of UGX 6,378,000 during his first production cycle.
The success of this venture underscores the immense potential of fish farming as a viable and profitable enterprise under the Parish Development Model. It has significantly enhanced Mr. Wamujja’s household income and serves as a practical demonstration of how strategic investment of PDM funds can uplift livelihoods, create wealth, and promote socio-economic transformation among ordinary Ugandans.
Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Wamujja commended H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for championing the Parish Development Model, which enabled him to transform an idle project into a thriving business venture. He, however, highlighted persistent challenges affecting the enterprise, including theft and attacks by predators such as birds and monitor lizards. According to him, the lack of protective fencing around the fish ponds exposes the project to avoidable losses, emphasizing the need for additional support measures to safeguard and sustain such investments.
The remarkable achievement by Mr. Wamujja reinforces the effectiveness of the Parish Development Model in empowering communities through productive investment, wealth creation, and improved household incomes. His success story stands as an inspiration to other beneficiaries, demonstrating that with proper planning, commitment, and prudent utilization of PDM funds, meaningful economic transformation is attainable.
