Wendi, a digital wallet developed by PostBank Uganda, has processed more than UGX 1 trillion in cash disbursements to beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM). The funds, meant to support small-scale economic activities across parishes in Uganda, have been sent directly to beneficiaries through the mobile platform. George William Kiyingi, the Head of Agent Banking and Fintech Distribution at PostBank, says the first UGX 500 billion was received in January 2025. All of it was sent to SACCO group accounts, and over 90 percent has already been accessed by individual beneficiaries. Another UGX 500 billion arrived in early June and has also been dispatched from the bank. Before Wendi, beneficiaries were required to travel to physical commercial bank branches to register accounts. Kiyingi recalls people traveling from Nakapiripirit to Moroto or from Pallisa to Mbale. Now, registration happens through a phone and a national ID, cutting the need for travel. Since 2024, more than 1.3 million PDM beneficiaries have registered on Wendi. The system works hand in hand with the government’s PDM Management Information System (PDMIS). Before a transaction is approved, Wendi checks with PDMIS to confirm if a loan has been cleared. If it hasn’t, the payment does not go through. This link between the platforms ensures that only verified beneficiaries receive money. The SACCO accounts also operate under shared control. Each account is managed by three leaders a chairperson, secretary, and treasurer. All three must approve a transaction for it to go through. If even one disagrees, the transaction is blocked. Besides disbursement, Wendi allows beneficiaries to save and repay loans. The platform offers an interest rate on savings of up to 10 percent per year. This option encourages users to keep money in the system after receiving their disbursements. PostBank plans to introduce follow-on loans for users who repay their initial PDM loans. According to Kiyingi, the goal is to shift people from receiving one-time assistance to using financial services regularly. The plan is to expand Wendi across the country and bring more people into the financial system. Experts who have followed the platform say it has simplified loan delivery and improved tracking of funds. They note that disbursements are reaching the right people and that both individuals and SACCOs are now more involved in how money is managed. As more money is distributed under the PDM, Wendi continues to grow in reach and in how it connects public funds to the people they are meant to serve.
