Oyam, Uganda – In a significant move to enhance data collection and improve service delivery under the Parish Development Model (PDM), the Government of Uganda has handed over 166 tablets to leaders in Oyam District.
The handover ceremony, held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at the Oyam District Headquarters, saw the distribution of Android tablets and power banks to 74 Parish Chiefs, 74 PDM Chairpersons, one District IT Officer, one District Statistician and 16 Community Development Officers (CDOs).
Presiding over the ceremony, Oyam Deputy Resident District Commissioner Richard Tabaro emphasized that the initiative would empower leaders to improve planning, implementation, and decision-making at the parish level.
He urged beneficiaries to use the devices effectively for timely and accurate data collection and warned of their responsibility for the devices’ safety, as they would bear the cost of any loss.
Hon. Benson Walter Dilla Oyuku, the Oyam District Chairperson, encouraged the recipients to embrace technology and acquire additional skills to enhance their work and future career prospects.
Stressing the need for ethical leadership, he reminded leaders to adhere to local government standing orders, ensuring transparency and accountability in service delivery.
“The PDM is not tied to any political party, religion, or tribe,” he clarified. “It is a programme designed to uplift individuals earning less than 20 million shillings annually and transition them from the subsistence economy to the money economy.”
Chief Administrative Officer Herbert Fredrick Kitutu announced that the PDM Secretariat would soon release funds for the programme.
He urged Sacco leaders to leverage the tablets to expedite fund disbursement to beneficiaries, ensuring the timely implementation of PDM activities.
Alex Enon, the Oyam District Senior Commercial Officer and PDM focal person, highlighted the transformative potential of the devices.
He explained that the tablets would enhance data collection and management at both parish and district levels, facilitating informed decision-making and efficient planning.
Leaders who previously relied on personal smartphones expressed their relief and gratitude for the government’s support.
Josephene Adyek, a Town Agent for Oyam Town Council, shared her challenges with smartphone overloads and data losses in the past.
She praised the government’s effort to equip them with reliable tools, saying, “These gadgets will make our work easier and more efficient.”
Launched by President Yoweri Museveni in February 2022, the PDM is one of Uganda’s flagship programmes aimed at achieving socio-economic transformation.
The initiative targets 39% of households at the parish level, helping them transition from subsistence farming to income-generating activities.
The government’s distribution of tablets in Oyam District reflects its commitment to empowering local leaders and strengthening the implementation of this transformative programme.
By embracing technology, leaders at the grassroots level are now better equipped to drive change and uplift their communities.
