Museveni emulates the parable of talents through PDM initiative

Op-Ed: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reminded me of a profound biblical teaching the Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14–30.

This parable teaches the value of wise stewardship and the consequences of failing to use what we are entrusted with. It tells the story of a master who, before going on a journey, entrusts his servants with different amounts of wealth (“talents”), expecting them to put the resources to good use.

Two servants invest and double their share; one hides his out of fear, only to be condemned upon the master’s return.

This story mirrors the thinking behind Uganda’s Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga programs. While some critics especially from the opposition dismissed these efforts as insufficient or poorly planned, likening the 1 million Uganda shillings to a drop in the ocean, others recognized the opportunity. As the parable shows, it’s not about how much you’re given it’s about how well you use it.

Yes, not everyone has used PDM funds wisely. However, in districts like Buliisa, we’ve seen real transformation. Take for instance Titus, a beneficiary visited by President Museveni himself. He turned what many called “little” into a thriving project earning not only profit but national recognition. This is the spirit of the parable: investing wisely and reaping rewards.

As a journalist, I conducted a field survey in Kihungya Sub-County, while my colleague Mulumba Makolo covered Biiso Town Council and Sub-County. We spoke to farmers who received PDM support.

Despite harsh weather that affected harvests, the beneficiaries had adopted mixed cropping strategies growing cassava alongside maize, which provided at least some returns. These earnings were then reinvested into livestock such as goats and poultry, gradually building more sustainable income sources.

Clearly, like in the biblical parable, there are those who will thrive and those who will squander their chance. The difference lies in personal responsibility and effort not the initial amount of capital.

I agree with President Museveni’s stance on accountability: those who misuse public funds, especially meant to alleviate poverty, deserve punishment.

In the parable, the unfaithful servant had his talent taken away and was cast out. Likewise, misusing PDM funds is not just financial irresponsibility it’s a betrayal of national trust and the hope of community development.

I sincerely thank President Museveni and the NRM government for the foresight to implement the PDM and Emyooga initiatives.

These are not just economic programs; they are lifelines. I urge my fellow Ugandans to embrace such programs with seriousness, invest wisely, and work hard to transform their lives. Only then can we build a prosperous Uganda Together.

Let us support President Museveni and the NRM if we are to secure a future free from poverty.

The author is Zephania Irikiza Atwooki, the Publicity PLU and Media Panelist ONC – Buliisa District

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