The Deputy National Coordinator of the Parish Development Model (PDM), Hon. Bonnie Kiconco Kashaija Mutungi, has reaffirmed that the core goal of PDM is to increase household incomes for socio-economic transformation, a goal she says is directly tied to strengthening responsible fatherhood in Uganda.
Hon. Mutungi was presenting at the Real Fathers 2nd Annual Learning Convening currently underway, convened to scale and sustain outcomes of the Real Fathers Program across the country.
During her presentation, Hon. Mutungi broke down the PDM goal into three specific objectives that form the foundation of household transformation.
According to her presentation, the first objective is food security, aimed at ensuring that every Ugandan household has enough food throughout the year. The second is material wealth creation, which focuses on moving 39% of households from subsistence into the money economy through enterprise development and asset ownership. The third is job creation, targeting productive employment at parish level.
Hon. Mutungi explained that these three objectives are highly relevant to the implementation of the Real Fathers Program.
She noted that a father who is food-secure is more present and peaceful at home and able to actively participate in childcare and family wellbeing. Similarly, wealth creation through PDM SACCOs empowers fathers to provide school fees, healthcare and basic needs, which are key values promoted by Real Fathers.
On job creation, she said fathers who establish enterprises become role models to their children and mentors to other young men in the community, ensuring sustainability of fatherhood outcomes beyond the project lifespan.
The Real Fathers Program, implemented in various districts, promotes positive parenting and active involvement of men in family affairs. Stakeholders at the convening said linking it with government programs like PDM will ensure long-term impact.
Hon. Mutungi commended the program for transforming family dynamics and pledged PDM’s commitment to integrate fatherhood messaging into community trainings.
