Persons with Disabilities in the Karamoja are yet to receive the five hundred thousand shillings allocated as a top-up under the Parish Development Model (PDM) loan scheme. In FY 2025/26, the government allocated 4.65 billion shillings nationally as an additional grant for PWDs who receive PDM loans.
Each PWD beneficiary is supposed to receive a-half a million shillings on top of the one million-shilling PDM loan to cater for their “unique needs” and boost inclusion in the PDM strategy. The additional money is meant to support PWDs to meet associated expenses as they implement their projects.
In a letter dated 8th June 2026, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development directed all Chief Administrative Officers and Town Clerks on the guidelines for accessing the additional grant. However, a URN reporter has established that some district accounting officers have no idea about the top-up grant, while PWDs face a challenge of low awareness about the program.
Emmanuel Moru, a PWD member in Atedeoi village, Lotisan Sub-county, said he received the first one million shillings but is not aware of the top-up. “I am excited to learn that there was a top-up because I had already spent the money I received on farming, and the crops failed,” Moru said.
He noted that no one told him about the top-up grant, but he will follow up with the parish chief. “Access to information is still a big challenge for us. Sometimes we rely on people with smartphones to get information, but not all we get is facts. Even radio stations don’t talk about these programs,” Moru lamented.
John Gaston Napakol, a PWD PDM beneficiary in Kakoliye Ward, South Division, Moroto Municipality, said they were among the first to receive one million shillings. “We have also heard about the top-up grant of UGX 500,000, and we are yet to follow it up. Through our structures, I managed to inform some of my colleagues, and now we are waiting to be called when disbursement starts,” Napakol said.
Dorcus Chelain, the LCV Councilor for PWDs in Amudat District, said she is aware of the money but not sure if district authorities had received it.
“I know the grant is meant for people with disability, but I can’t tell whether they target those who have not yet benefited or it covers all, including those who already received one million shillings. I need guidance from the CAO before meeting my group,” Chelain said.
Andrew Leru, the Amudat Chief Administrative Officer, said he is not aware of the grant apart from the UGX 1 million meant for everyone at the parish. “Why would other specific groups receive up to UGX 1.5 million while the rest take only UGX 1 million? I need more time to verify because I have no information regarding the grant,” Leru said.
He promised to follow up with the district PDM focal point person.
Simon Peter Korobe, the acting Chief of Lotisan Sub-county, said he was not yet aware of the top-up grant for PWDs unless the CAO communicates officially.
“We only receive 100 million shillings per parish for the first and second batch. We are in the process of making payments, but accounts were suspended to allow new SACCO leadership.
“We have 400 million shillings in the accounts yet to be disbursed. The money is for all beneficiaries, not per category, unless the CAO communicates new changes,” Korobe said.
However, Napak district reports that they received the funds and are now awaiting disbursement.
Meanwhile, Robert Abia Owilli, the Napak Chief Administrative Officer, acknowledged receipt of the funds and said they are waiting for disbursement guidelines.
“The cumulative money received is UGX 23 billion for the entire district, and around 10 percent is calculated for PWDs,” Owilli said.
He added that profiling of beneficiaries is ongoing.
“The PWD beneficiaries have already been informed through PWD structures. Old beneficiaries will receive a top-up of 500,000 shillings on top of the one million shillings, while new applicants will get 1.5 million shillings,” Owilli explained.
Owilli attributed delays to the formation of new SACCO boards. “We held AGMs and 100% of the executives were removed. We are now finalizing new signatories before we start disbursing the funds.”
PWD leaders in Karamoja now want government and district officials to fast-track sensitization and clear guidelines to ensure the money reaches the intended beneficiaries-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
