Yoweri Museveni warns parish chiefs: Excluding youth & disabled from PDM funds ‘creates a time-bomb

Kampala,Uganda
President Museveni has issued a stark warning during a public address that parish-level administrators who exclude youth and persons with disabilities from the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds are effectively “creating a time-bomb” for Uganda’s development.
He emphasised that mobilisers and local leadership must “focus on real change, not excitement” and commit to inclusive development if Uganda is to consolidate peace and development gains.
The statement comes at a time when youth unemployment remains high, disability inclusion is still weak, and the 2026 general election campaigns are already underway — raising stakes for how development funds are allocated and who benefits.
Why it matters:

The PDM is a flagship grassroots model designed by the government to reach every parish with development funds — excluding key groups undermines its legitimacy and effectiveness.

Youth and persons with disability represent large, often under-represented segments of Uganda’s population; exclusion risks deepening inequality and social frustration.

With election year approaching, perceptions of exclusion can fuel unrest, reduce trust in governance, and shape voter behaviour.
What to watch:

Whether parish chiefs implement corrective actions: inclusion criteria publicly clarified, audits of fund allocation.

How the youth and disability movements respond: will there be organised push-back, protests or legal challenges?

Whether opposition parties pick up the narrative of exclusion in their campaigns, influencing voter sentiment ahead of 2026.