Engaging Communities in Uganda for Mindset Change and Community Mobilization: Appreciating the Parish Development Model (PDM) through Entrepreneurship, Savings, and Investment — A Critical Appraisal and Salvage Strategy

Poverty remains a persistent challenge in Uganda, with significant disparities between rural and urban areas. According to the 2021/2022 Uganda National Household Survey, 39% of Ugandans continue to live in subsistence economies, with rural poverty at 25%, compared to just 10% in urban areas (UBOS, 2022). The Parish Development Model (PDM), designed to decentralize economic empowerment by organizing communities into functional economic units at the parish level, aims to address these disparities (Mugisha & Onyango, 2023). However, its early implementation has faced challenges, including elite capture, inadequate mindset change, and weak institutional coordination (Mukwaya, 2023). This paper critically examines the PDM, emphasizing the importance of transformative community mobilization and mindset shifts towards entrepreneurship to avoid the pitfalls of past supply-driven poverty interventions. Drawing on participatory development theory (Chambers, 1994) and the capability approach (Sen, 1999), it argues that poverty reduction requires both structural and behavioral changes. The paper proposes practical remedies to enhance the PDM, including investing in grassroots adult education, strengthening local governance accountability, and integrating rural livelihoods into viable value chains (World Bank, 2023). These measures can help the PDM move beyond its current limitations and foster long-term, community-driven economic development. By focusing on mindset change, accountability, and sustainable entrepreneurial pathways, the PDM has the potential to transform Uganda’s rural economy and empower communities to drive their own development. The success of the PDM depends on its ability to embrace local knowledge, build trust, and support inclusive economic participation.