Business 7 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kampala Mayor Proposes Mandatory Entrepreneurship Training for PDM Fund Beneficiaries
Kampala's Mayor-elect, Ronald Balimwezo, is advocating for mandatory entrepreneurship and financial literacy training before beneficiaries receive funds from the government's Parish Development Model (PDM). He argues that the program's effectiveness is hindered by a lack of essential business skills among recipients, leading to wasted resources. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kampala-mayor-balimwezo-calls-for-entrepreneurship-training-before-pdm-funding-5450334
Ronald Balimwezo, the Mayor-elect of Kampala, has called on the government to implement mandatory entrepreneurship training for individuals before they can access funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Balimwezo stated that the PDM, a key government initiative aimed at poverty reduction, is not meeting its full potential because many beneficiaries lack the necessary business and financial management skills. He believes that providing funds without equipping people with these skills leads to significant wastage of the nearly Shs1 trillion injected into the program annually.
“The way to go is training. Some time back, I advised the government not to invest money in people before equipping them with such skills,” Balimwezo said.
Under the PDM, each parish receives Shs100 million annually in two tranches to support households in areas like agriculture and small businesses. However, Balimwezo argues that financial literacy combined with vocational skills is crucial for success.
His remarks come amid wider discussions about the PDM’s impact, particularly in light of rising unemployment among youth, which is seen as a risk to national stability. Speakers at an Enterprise Uganda training emphasized the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in young people to navigate the current job market.
Charles Ocici, Director General of Enterprise Uganda, urged young people to adapt to market trends and recognize the scarcity of formal job opportunities. He also warned that economic disempowerment of local populations can lead to social unrest, citing instances where successful foreign businesses can be perceived as taking opportunities from struggling citizens.
These calls for enhanced skills development align with the World Bank’s view that investing in human capital, including education and skills, is vital for Uganda’s long-term economic growth and job creation.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)