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Addressing residents in Mwera Village in Miyana, Museveni said such advice from opposition members is detrimental to communities and hinders poverty eradication efforts.
The President pointed out that although he was part of the opposition Democratic Party in the 1960s and 70s, he never discouraged development in his community.
“Even if you are in the opposition, it is dangerous to tell your supporters not to join the government’s poverty eradication programs,” Museveni remarked, adding that he supported efforts to improve his community's cattle farming regardless of his political stance.
Boycott your salaries
Museveni went on to challenge the credibility of opposition leaders who criticise government programs while still benefiting from government resources.
"Interestingly, while they tell you to reject the government’s development programs, you never hear them rejecting government salaries,” he said.
“Why don't they reject their salaries from parliament?" he questioned, hinting at the perceived hypocrisy of benefiting from state provisions while discouraging their constituents from participating in development schemes.
Encouraging residents not to be swayed by opposition-led narratives, the President stressed the importance of self-improvement.
“When you chase poverty from your home, you are not chasing it from Museveni’s home. I have my own wealth. Poverty is in your home, not Museveni’s,” he said
Museveni further clarified that funds for the Parish Development Model are sourced from taxpayers and are not personal contributions from him.
“The money we are bringing to you as PDM is your own tax money. It is not that I went to my own kraal, sold my cows, and brought you that money,” he explained,
Under the PDM, each parish is allocated 100 million Ugandan Shillings, aiming to empower local communities through targeted interventions and support.
The Parish Development Model is one of the government’s poverty eradication programs aimed at transforming subsistence farming communities into commercially viable enterprises.
In his message, President Museveni appealed to citizens to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the government for economic empowerment and not to be discouraged by political rhetoric that could hinder their progress.