Government to Introduce Practical Training Centres to Boost Effective Use of Livelihood Funds

By: Ikiriza Zephania Atwooki

BULIISA:
The Government of Uganda is set to launch Practical Training Centres (PTCs) across the country in a bid to improve the success and sustainability of its livelihood support programs. The centres will equip community members with hands-on skills before they access government funds.

According to Buliisa District Senior Commercial Officer, Mr. Dison Kasisaki, the new initiative comes after growing concerns that many beneficiaries of government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), EMYOOGA, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), and the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) have been struggling to put funds to productive use.

Kasisaki noted that a number of beneficiaries spend the money on luxurious items instead of investment, while others fail because they lack the practical skills required to run their selected enterprises.

How PDM Has Been Operating

Under the current PDM structure, beneficiaries form enterprise groups at the parish level and receive revolving funds after basic guidance from Community Based Facilitators (CBFs). However, many beneficiaries have reportedly entered enterprises they have no practical knowledge of, leading to mismanagement of funds, poor enterprise choices, and low recovery rates.

How PDM Will Operate After Introducing PTCs

With the introduction of Practical Training Centres, the model will shift to a more structured, skill-based approach.
Beneficiaries will now undergo:

• Three to four weeks of hands-on training at parish-level centres

• Guidance on enterprise selection based on skills, viability, and market demand

• Practical demonstrations on how to run enterprises such as farming, agro-processing, trade, and small-scale manufacturing

• Assessment and certification before funds are released

[SOUND BITE: Kasisaki on Practical Centres in Lug]

After completing the training, participants will officially qualify to receive funding under PDM and other government programs.

Why the New Initiative Matters

Kasisaki explained that replacing the Community Based Facilitators (CBFs) with the more structured Practical Training Centre system is expected to significantly improve the impact of government livelihood projects.

The new system aims to:

• Reduce misuse of funds

• Improve enterprise survival and profitability

• Ensure beneficiaries select ventures they can competently manage

• Strengthen accountability and financial discipline

• Enhance household incomes through well-planned, skill-based enterprises

Kasisaki encouraged residents to embrace the upcoming trainings and take full advantage of the government’s effort to ensure every beneficiary is better prepared to run sustainable income-generating activities.

[SOUND BITE: Kasisaki on weeks of training in Lug]

The rollout of Practical Training Centres marks a major shift in how Uganda implements its livelihood support programs—placing skills, competence, and practical readiness at the centre of community development.

• The PDM was formally launched on 26 February 2022. Uganda Broadcasting Corporation+2| National Resistance Movement+2

• The launch took place at Kibuku Primary School, in Kibuku District, which is in the Bukedi sub-region. Uganda Broadcasting Corporation+1

Main Objectives of the PDM

1. Poverty Reduction & Wealth Creation

   • Transition a significant portion of Ugandan households from a subsistence economy to a money (cash) economy. development.finance.go.ug+2Dativa & Associates+2

   • Specifically targets about 39% of households seen as stuck in subsistence, estimated to be ~3.5 million households. development.finance.go.ug+1

2. Decentralized, Grassroots Development

   • Use the parish — Uganda’s smallest planning unit — as the center for planning, implementation, and accountability. | National Resistance Movement+1

   • Empower local communities to identify their development priorities via Parish Development Plans (PDPs). Wikipedia+1

3. Inclusive Growth

   • Improve inclusiveness by focusing on disadvantaged groups (e.g., women, youth, people with disabilities) through parish-level structures. npcsec.go.ug+1

4. Multi-Sectoral Development

   • Address development through seven cross-cutting “pillars”:

     1. Production, Storage, Processing & Marketing

     2. Infrastructure & Economic Services

     3. Financial Inclusion

     4. Social Services (education, health, water, etc.)

     5. Mindset Change

     6. Parish-based Management Information System

     7. Governance & Administration Wikipedia+2Monitor+2

5. Sustainable and Revolving Funding Mechanism

   • Each parish receives a government-funded revolving fund (a “Parish Revolving Fund” via SACCOs) to support income-generating activities. development.finance.go.ug

   • Loans are given at favorable terms to beneficiaries to invest in priority value chains. development.finance.go.ug

6. Align with National Development Plans

   • PDM is part of Uganda’s Third National Development Plan (NDP III), and supports the broader vision of transforming the country toward a more productive, modern economy. Office of the Auditor General Uganda

   • Contributes to Uganda Vision 2040 by pushing for structural transformation at the household level. Office of the Auditor General Uganda

   • ecent (2024–2025) Data & Key Developments on PDM in Buliisa District

     1. Auditor General Report — Licensing of PDM SACCOs

        • The Auditor General’s 2023/24 compliance audit found that 37 PDM SACCOs in Buliisa District were not licensed under the Microfinance Institutions Money Lenders Act. Office of the Auditor General Uganda

        • This is a risk because unlicensed SACCOs may face legal challenges in recovering PDM revolving fund (PRF) loans, which could undermine fund sustainability and accountability. Office of the Auditor General Uganda

        • The AG recommended that the district engage with the PDM Secretariat to ensure proper registration or licensing of SACCOs. Office of the Auditor General Uganda

     2. Local Government Performance Report – PDM Disbursement

        • According to Buliisa District’s FY 2024/25 Local Government Quarterly Performance Report (Q2), the district facilitated the disbursement of UGX 1.85 billion in PDM PRF during that quarter. Uganda Budget Information

        • This indicates active distribution of revolving funds to local SACCOs or beneficiaries, showing some level of implementation and fund flow. Uganda Budget Information

     3. State Visit & Success Story

        • In March 2025, President Museveni visited Buliisa District as part of a PDM inspection/tour in the Bunyoro sub-region. SALT MEDIA

        • During this visit, the President met Titus Tumusiime, a PDM beneficiary from Butiaba Sub-county, who reported using his PDM funds (about UGX 997,000) to develop a piggery business. statehouse.go.ug+1

        • Tumusiime said he had bought six pigs, built a fence, paid for feed and veterinary drugs, and by selling piglets generated UGX 4.3 million. statehouse.go.ug

        • As a recognition of his success, President Museveni gave him UGX 10 million towards a tuk-tuk (for transporting feed) and UGX 25 million for a feed mill. statehouse.go.ug+1

     4. Fishermen & PDM Limitations

        • There is concern among the Buliisa fishing community that the standard PDM cap (often cited at UGX 1 million) is insufficient for fishing operations, such as buying boats or nets. thenilewires.com+1

        • In response, President Museveni announced plans to create a special fisheries fund (separate from PDM) to better support fishermen. thenilewires.com

        • This suggests that while PDM is being used in Buliisa, local needs (especially of the fishing community) may not fully align with the “one-size-fits-all” funding structure.

     5. Call for Better Utilization

        • In August 2025, Buliisa’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) called on residents to more effectively utilize their PDM funds to improve household incomes. Biisofm

        • The CAO pointed to the district’s Local Economic Development and Investment Committee (LEDIC), urging residents to tap into local resources (such as land or Lake Albert) to start small businesses rather than wait for large-scale external investments.