A team led by Uganda Development Forum (UDF) Executive Director Dr. Edward Katende and Parish Development Model (PDM) focal person Kenneth Muzoora has visited the Tooro region to learn how communities can use government programmes and other development opportunities to fight household poverty.
The team included officers and PDM implementers from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), the Ministry of Finance, Luwero District, Mubende and Nakasongola.
The study tour brought PDM beneficiaries and implementers from Mubende and Nakasongola to Kabarole and Fort Portal, where they were exposed to practical experiences and development initiatives aimed at improving household incomes.
Visit to Karuzika Palace
As part of the study tour, the team paid a courtesy visit to Karuzika Palace, the official residence of the Omukama of Tooro, where they met officials from the Office of the Musuuga to discuss possible areas of cooperation between UDF, OWC and the Obukama Bwa Tooro.
The engagement was aimed at strengthening partnerships in the fight against household poverty by sharing experiences on how government programmes can be effectively implemented at community level.
Dr. Katende said the experiential learning tour was designed to give PDM beneficiaries an opportunity to learn directly from communities in Tooro that are engaged in various economic activities, particularly agriculture.
Rather than relying solely on meetings and presentations, the participants were taken to different sites where they could observe practical examples of development and income-generating activities.
PDM and Household Transformation
One of the key areas discussed during the visit was the Parish Development Model, which is designed to support households in transitioning from subsistence production into the money economy through organised and sustainable economic activities.
The participants exchanged ideas on how PDM beneficiaries can make better use of government support, improve production, add value to their products and create sustainable sources of household income.
The team also explored the role of tourism in reducing household poverty in the Tooro region.
Tooro is known for its rich cultural heritage and tourism potential, including the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, forests and other natural attractions around Fort Portal and Kabarole.
Participants were encouraged to explore how such resources can be turned into opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and increased household incomes.
Cultural Institutions in Development
The engagement at Karuzika Palace also highlighted the importance of working with cultural institutions when implementing development programmes.
The Obukama Bwa Tooro maintains a strong connection with communities across the region, making cooperation with the cultural institution an opportunity to reach households, create awareness and encourage participation in poverty reduction initiatives.
The study tour is expected to help PDM beneficiaries from Mubende and Nakasongola gain practical knowledge on how government programmes can be transformed into sustainable sources of income before receiving PDM funds.
The visit to Tooro therefore provided more than a learning experience. It created a platform for government officials, development implementers and cultural leaders to explore how PDM, tourism and community partnerships can work together to address household poverty.
The engagement at Karuzika Palace marked another step towards strengthening collaboration between the Uganda Development Forum, Operation Wealth Creation, the Ministry of Finance and the Obukama Bwa Tooro in promoting household transformation and improving livelihoods.
