Nakasongola PDM Beneficiary Grows Poultry Flock, Ventures into Piggery

Birungi Jackline, a resident of Wabinyonyi Village in East Ward, Nakasongola Town Council, has transformed a modest poultry enterprise into a thriving mixed farming venture after investing the UGX 1 million she received under the Parish Development Model (PDM), according to findings from a monitoring exercise conducted recently by the Office of the National Chairman (ONC).

The monitoring visit, carried out by ONC Nakasongola District Coordinator Bugalalyo Moses, assessed the progress of beneficiaries and highlighted how government support is improving household incomes despite persistent production challenges.

Jackline received the PDM grant capital last year at a time when she only kept a small number of indigenous chickens. She chose to invest the funds in expanding her poultry enterprise, a decision that has since enabled her to increase her flock to 200 broiler chickens and 100 local breed chickens. She has also diversified into piggery and currently owns three pregnant pigs, a venture she hopes will grow into a large scale commercial enterprise.

Speaking during the interview, Jackline expressed gratitude to the NRM government for introducing the Parish Development Model, saying the programme had given her a meaningful opportunity to improve her family’s livelihood through agriculture. She noted that the financial support had enabled her to move beyond subsistence farming and build a business with greater income potential.

“I thank the NRM government for this wonderful initiative because it has changed my life. Before receiving the money, I only had a few local chickens, but today my poultry project has expanded significantly and I have also started a piggery enterprise. My dream is to continue growing into a large scale farmer,” she said.

She also commended the Office of the National Chairman for consistently monitoring beneficiaries and providing guidance on how to manage and expand their projects.

According to her, the regular follow up visits and technical advice have encouraged beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly and remain focused on making their enterprises sustainable.

Despite the progress, Jackline pointed to several obstacles that continue to affect farmers in the area. She said the initial UGX 1 million capital is no longer sufficient for beneficiaries who want to expand rapidly, while frequent disease outbreaks, the circulation of counterfeit veterinary drugs and the rising cost of vaccines remain major threats to livestock production.

The monitoring exercise forms part of ONC’s ongoing efforts to evaluate the implementation of the Parish Development Model across the country, identify challenges affecting beneficiaries and ensure government resources are used effectively to improve household incomes.

Jackline’s experience demonstrates both the opportunities created by the programme and the practical constraints that still need to be addressed if more rural farmers are to transition into commercial agriculture.

Send Us Your Story

If you would like your article or opinion published on The New Light Paper, one of Uganda’s trusted news platforms, send your submission to thenewlightpaper@gmail.com.