The digitisation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) fund is a significant step towards enhancing economic growth and development in Uganda.
This revelation was made today by Hon. Matia Kasaija, the Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as he presented the 2025/2026 budget to Parliament.
Kasaija said that by leveraging technology, the government has ensured a secure and smooth flow of government grants directly from the National Treasury to beneficiaries.
“Over the past decade, the government has committed more than Shs9 trillion to wealth creation initiatives, including the Uganda Development Bank, Parish Development Model, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Programme, Women Entrepreneurship Programme, and more. These efforts are aimed at empowering households and creating sustainable income,” Kasaija said.
“The PDM operations have been fully digitised to ensure a secure and smooth flow of the government grants directly from the National Treasury to the beneficiaries,” he added.
He noted that this has enhanced efficiency and convenience in access and helped to reduce corruption in the PDM operations.
Key Features of Digitisation
According to Kasaija, the digitisation of PDM operations involves several key features, including:
National Identification Number (NIN): Used to identify beneficiaries and ensure accurate targeting
PDM Information System (PDMIS): Manages beneficiary data and facilitates efficient fund disbursement
WENDI application: Enables secure and timely transfer of funds to beneficiaries via PostBank Uganda
ZAIDI application: Monitors and tracks the use of funds, ensuring that beneficiaries use them for the intended purposes
Benefits of Digitisation
The digitisation of PDM operations has several benefits, including:
Enhanced efficiency
It enables a reduction in bureaucracy and increased speed in fund disbursement, making it possible for several Ugandans to benefit from the fund.
Increased convenience
Beneficiaries can access funds more easily and conveniently, and on time, so that they can invest it and be able to pay back within the stipulated payment period.
Reduced corruption
Digitisation has minimised opportunities for corruption and ensured transparency in the fund management, which is vital if the targeted Ugandans are to benefit from PDM.
Impact on Economic Growth
The digitisation of the PDM fund is expected to have a positive impact on economic growth by:
Empowering beneficiaries
Providing Ugandans with the necessary funds to finance their enterprises and improve their livelihoods.
Promoting entrepreneurship
Enabling beneficiaries to start or expand their businesses, creating jobs and stimulating economic activity.
Improving financial inclusion
Increasing access to financial services for marginalised communities and promoting financial inclusion.
Alignment with Stanbic Bank’s WYF Agenda
This initiative by the government to digitise the PDM fund mirrors the Stanbic Bank Women, Youth, and Farmers Agenda, which aims to empower these key demographics through financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
By providing access to financial inclusion and digital support, both the PDM fund and the Stanbic Bank WYF agenda are likely to have a multiplier effect on the economy, promoting economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.
The digitisation of the PDM fund is a significant step towards promoting economic growth and development in Uganda.
By leveraging technology, the government has ensured efficiency, convenience, and transparency in fund management, empowering beneficiaries to finance their enterprises and improve their livelihoods.
This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on economic growth, promoting entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and poverty reduction.