“Boots on the Ground”: Journalist Hails NRM Treasurer Barbara Nekesa for Exemplary PDM Oversight in Busia as She Warns Against Fund Misuse

By: Journalist Musamali Arnold Freeman

BUSIA, Uganda – Investigative journalist Arnold Freeman Musamali has publicly credited National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Treasurer Ambassador Barbara Nekesa Oundo for her hands-on leadership after concluding a monitoring and orientation tour of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Busia District.

Musamali praised Nekesa for “putting boots on the ground” in line with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive, and urged other politicians—particularly those in the NRM government—to emulate her example of direct engagement with beneficiaries of the Presidential poverty eradication programme.

During the tour in Samia Bugwe and surrounding areas, Nekesa inspected PDM-supported projects, engaged farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs, and strongly cautioned against the misuse of funds. She stressed that the money must be invested in productive enterprises that generate sustained returns rather than wasted on non-essential consumer items such as smartphones.

“PDM money is not for buying smartphones. It is meant to create wealth and fight poverty at the household level,” Nekesa told beneficiaries during visits that included Waswa Farm in Mayombe Village and various coffee and fish-pond projects.

She warned that diverting the funds undermines the government’s efforts to lift households from subsistence into the money economy.

The NRM National Treasurer also issued a firm warning to officials against extorting money from beneficiaries, stating that anyone found soliciting payments would face serious consequences.

She called on local leaders, parish chiefs and community monitors to strengthen supervision and expose any attempts to divert or misuse the resources.

Thousands of PDM beneficiaries in Busia shared stories of household transformation.

District officials reported that more than 19,000 people have been reached through over 800 cooperative groups, with investments flowing into coffee farming, poultry, piggery, fish ponds and other income-generating activities.

Busia District has received approximately Shs19 billion under the programme, with local production officers noting improved uptake and visible returns in many groups.

Nekesa hailed the progress as a validation of President Museveni’s vision for grassroots wealth creation and pledged continued follow-up to ensure accountability and the replication of successful practices.

In his commentary, journalist Arnold Freeman Musamali singled out Nekesa’s approach as a model for leadership. He noted that while many politicians remain distant from the implementation challenges on the ground, the National Treasurer has consistently demonstrated the practical commitment expected under the President’s guidance.

“Other politicians, most especially those from the NRM government, should pick a leaf from the NRM National Treasurer, Nekesa Barbara, from putting boots on the ground as guided by President Museveni,” Musamali stated. He argued that sustained physical monitoring, orientation of beneficiaries and firm caution against misuse are essential if the PDM is to deliver lasting poverty reduction rather than become another programme undermined by diversion and consumption.

The Parish Development Model, launched by President Museveni in 2022, channels revolving funds through parish-level SACCOs to help households transition into commercial production. While the programme has recorded successes in districts such as Busia, it has also faced nationwide challenges of alleged theft, extortion and diversion—issues that recent police operations have sought to address through hundreds of arrests.

Nekesa’s tour underscores the NRM’s continued emphasis on economic mobilisation and accountability at the grassroots. By combining inspection, public education and zero-tolerance messaging on misuse, the National Treasurer has set a visible standard that Musamali and others now hold up as the expected benchmark for leaders entrusted with the Presidential poverty eradication agenda.

As the programme continues to roll out, the call from the journalist is clear: leadership that stays in the boardroom will not transform villages—only leaders who walk the parishes, orient the people and protect the funds will honour the vision.