Hon. Ruhindi Seeks Increase in PDM Funding for Nakawa East, Calls for Accountability in Government Programmes

Nakawa East Member of Parliament Fredrick Ruhindi has called for an increase in funding under the Parish Development Model (PDM) for beneficiaries in Kampala, arguing that the growing population and economic needs of urban communities require greater financial support.

Ruhindi said the government should consider increasing the funds allocated to PDM beneficiaries, particularly in Nakawa East, to enable more households to engage in income-generating activities and improve their livelihoods.

He made the remarks on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during a Baraza organised by the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Nakawa, Edrine Benesa, in Butabika Parish to monitor the implementation of the PDM and other government programmes.

The meeting brought together PDM beneficiaries, local leaders and institutional representatives to discuss the implementation of government initiatives and assess their impact on communities.

Ruhindi, who acknowledged the contribution of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni's government through programmes such as the PDM, Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Programme and Operation Wealth Creation, urged residents to make productive use of the opportunities available to them.

He said the success of government interventions depended not only on the amount of money allocated but also on how beneficiaries and communities utilised the available resources.

"We should thank President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his government for initiating development programmes such as PDM, Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Programme and Operation Wealth Creation to help improve our livelihoods. But the message is one: we tend to be proud of what we have, but we are not proud of how we are utilising what we have," Ruhindi said.

To illustrate the potential of small businesses, the legislator cited a woman selling roasted maize in Bugoloobi, whom he said had managed to pay rent and educate her children from a business capital of just Shs50,000.

He explained that the woman's experience demonstrated how even a modest investment could sustain a household when properly managed.

Ruhindi said he occasionally gives the woman financial support to help her expand the business, adding that her determination to earn a living had impressed him.

The MP said such examples should encourage beneficiaries to appreciate and responsibly utilise government funds rather than underestimate the potential of small investments.

Against this background, Ruhindi revealed that he was lobbying for an increase in PDM funding for Kampala, with particular attention to Nakawa East, where he said the population places considerable pressure on available resources.

He singled out Mutungo Parish, which he said has more than 51,000 voters, arguing that its population and economic demands warrant greater attention when allocating development resources.

The legislator disclosed that he had already engaged officials in the Office of the Prime Minister and NRM Deputy Secretary General Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja over the proposed increase in PDM funding.

According to Ruhindi, Namayanja had promised positive feedback on his request, although he said he was continuing to follow up on the matter.

Ruhindi calls for accountability in government programmes

Beyond the demand for increased funding, Ruhindi emphasised the need to fight corruption, arguing that misappropriation of public resources directly affects the quality of services delivered to ordinary Ugandans.

He said funds allocated to public institutions, including schools and hospitals, should be used for their intended purposes to improve service delivery.

" We need political hygiene, which is important because money that is stolen helps ordinary citizens like you. That money can be channelled to Universal Primary Education (UPE) for free primary education and Universal Secondary Education (USE) for free secondary education," he said.

Ruhindi questioned why some government schools and health facilities continue to experience inadequate services despite receiving public funding, raising concerns about whether the challenges stem from insufficient allocations or the misappropriation of resources.

He urged leaders responsible for managing public resources to ensure that government funding reaches its intended beneficiaries, warning that corruption undermines public confidence in government programmes.

The MP acknowledged that residents have legitimate reasons to express dissatisfaction when public services fall short of expectations, particularly when corruption or poor accountability contributes to the challenges.

He said he intended to raise concerns about corruption and service delivery during the NRM Parliamentary Caucus meeting with President Museveni, scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026.

Ruhindi argued that improving accountability in public institutions would help ensure that government programmes deliver tangible benefits to communities.

MP highlights lobbying efforts and development projects

Ruhindi also outlined some of his recent lobbying efforts, emphasising that one of the key responsibilities of a legislator is to mobilise resources and advocate for development projects that benefit constituents.

He cited his recent engagement with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), through which he secured 10 computers for Luzira Secondary School to support learning and improve access to digital technology.

The school, which has more than 3,000 students, received the computers following his engagement with the communications regulator.

He also announced that on October 13, 2026, he would visit Graphic Systems Limited, which had pledged to donate an oxygen ventilator valued at Shs100 million to Nakawa East Constituency.

According to Ruhindi, the ventilator would be delivered to the prisons hospital to strengthen its capacity to provide medical care to patients requiring respiratory support.

He said such engagements demonstrated the importance of lobbying private institutions and government agencies to supplement public resources and address pressing community needs.

The legislator urged residents to work closely with their elected leaders and participate in community meetings where they can raise concerns about service delivery and the implementation of government programmes.

He particularly encouraged residents in other parishes, including Butabika, to continue inviting him to community engagements so that he could better understand their needs and follow up on issues affecting them.

"Anywhere you want me to go with you, let us move and serve our people. We want service with impact. We assess it and see that we improve performance," he said.

Ruhindi calls for exemplary leadership

The former Attorney General also used the meeting to emphasise the importance of integrity, modesty and leading by example, saying public officials should practise what they preach.

Drawing from his own experience in government, Ruhindi said he had served as a minister and Attorney General for 10 years without moving with security personnel and continued to reside in Bugoloobi flats despite suggestions from some of his friends that he acquire a bungalow.

He said his lifestyle reflected his personal approach to public service and urged fellow leaders to remain connected to the communities they represent.

Ruhindi also challenged leaders to move beyond making promises and instead demonstrate their performance through tangible development projects and improved service delivery.

He called on residents to evaluate leaders based on their actions and the impact of their work rather than political rhetoric.

Embraces digital platforms to publicise achievements

In another part of his address, Ruhindi encouraged residents and his supporters to use digital platforms to document and publicise development activities taking place in Nakawa East.

He admitted that he had previously failed to adequately document some of his achievements, assuming that residents were already aware of the work he was doing.

However, he said he had since embraced digital communication and recognised the importance of sharing information about his activities with the public.

"When you see me do anything, capture it digitally and share widely. My main weakness then was not capturing my works, thinking people were seeing, but now I have fully embraced the digital world. I have to blow my own trumpet," Ruhindi said.

He urged residents to help communicate information about development projects and his lobbying efforts, saying digital platforms could help bridge the information gap between leaders and the communities they serve.

The MP also disclosed that he had endorsed General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for the 2031 presidential election, saying he had signed the endorsement twice. However, he added that President Museveni would provide further direction.

Ruhindi's remarks at the Butabika Baraza centred on increased PDM funding, accountability in public expenditure, lobbying for development projects and the need for closer cooperation between leaders and residents.

The meeting provided an opportunity for beneficiaries and community leaders to engage with the legislator on the implementation of government programmes and the challenges affecting service delivery in the parish.