A Leader Among His People
As the sun set on July 14, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni arrived in Kampala, concluding a months-long national tour to promote the Parish Development Model (PDM).
More than a government initiative, this tour became a personal pilgrimage. It was an effort by the President to connect directly with Ugandans, hear their stories, and witness firsthand the successes and challenges of his flagship poverty-alleviation program.
From the misty hills of Kigezi to the dry plains of Karamoja, Museveni journeyed through the heart of Uganda. He met locals under mango trees, in their gardens, and at busy marketplaces.
He sat in modest homes, listened to personal struggles, and celebrated everyday triumphs. Each stop was a testament to his desire to understand the lives behind government policy.
Moments That Mattered
One such moment unfolded this Monday in Kibumbiro, Busega. With First Lady Maama Janet by his side and a steady drizzle falling, Museveni visited the home of Mrs. Fausta Nalweyiso, a PDM beneficiary who started a piggery project with two animals.
Holding colorful umbrellas, the trio stood beside her growing herd. The quiet moment symbolized transformation powered by grassroots support.
The President later shared a photo on social media, showing the three of them in the rain. Mrs. Nalweyiso stood radiant in a yellow dress, while raindrops glistened on the couple’s jackets.
It was an image that captured the spirit of the tour: personal, grounded, and hopeful.
Museveni did not just pose for pictures. He gave real support. In Busega, he donated ten million shillings to help Mrs. Nalweyiso expand her piggery project and contributed one million shillings each to ten other PDM beneficiaries.
These contributions served as both symbolic and practical gestures of his support for local enterprise.
Listening with Purpose
At every stop, citizens shared their experiences. They expressed frustrations about poor roads, limited electricity, and lack of clean water. They submitted petitions, hoping for change.
These were not just formal complaints but heartfelt pleas. Museveni promised to include these issues in his next campaign manifesto. He said the new plan would be shaped not by technocrats in Kampala but by the voices of Ugandans in towns and villages.
Museveni often said that he had touched, smelt, tasted, heard, and spoken with the people. This grounded and immersive leadership approach made the tour more than political outreach. It was a living and ongoing dialogue between the leader and the citizens.
Stories That Inspire
Throughout the country, Museveni encountered people whose lives have been transformed by government initiatives. In Lango, a farmer showed him a video on a battered phone.
It was a clip of Museveni urging Ugandans to embrace agriculture. That message, the farmer said, inspired him to start poultry farming. Today, his family no longer struggles to survive.
In Bugisu, a coffee farmer shared how his yield had doubled after adopting government-supported techniques. His children are now in school, thanks to the increased income.
And in Busega, Mrs. Nalweyiso’s piggery project has grown from two pigs to ten, becoming a model of how small support can lead to big success.
Prosperity Beyond Kampala
The core message of the PDM is that prosperity can take root anywhere. You do not need to live in Kampala to succeed. In Gulu, a young woman showed the President her vegetable garden.
Her hands were stained with soil, but her pride was evident. She now supplies produce to local markets.
In Busoga, a father pointed to his fishpond with joy. What started as a simple idea has now lifted his family from subsistence living to financial stability. These are not isolated examples. They are signs of a broader shift in rural livelihoods.
Confronting the Gaps
The tour was not only about celebration. Museveni also listened to complaints. In several areas, citizens expressed concern about delayed funding and local mismanagement. In others, he found broken infrastructure.
The President took notes, met with local officials, and promised action. His willingness to face tough questions showed his readiness to address the challenges slowing down progress.
A Vision Shared
As Museveni addressed the crowd in Kampala, his words reflected what he had seen and heard across the country.
“You do not need to live in Kampala to prosper,” he said, referencing the rain-soaked visit to Busega. “Your wealth is in your hands, your land, and your determination.”
The crowd erupted in cheers. They were not simply applauding a speech. They were responding to a leader who had walked with them, stood among them, and listened.
The PDM tour was more than a campaign or a project inspection. It was a message of belief in the Ugandan spirit. It reminded the nation that leadership is not about distance. It is about presence.
And sometimes, presence means standing in the rain beside a piggery, sharing a smile with a farmer, and leaving behind hope that things can get better.
Mike Ssegawa is a Veteran Journalist and Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Kassanda District
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