Ugandan President Museveni Assures Ghetto Youth of Government Support
In a move to address the concerns of Uganda’s ghetto communities, President Yoweri Museveni has assured the youth that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government is committed to serving all Ugandans. The President made the statement during a meeting with 100 leaders of ghetto SACCOs from the Kampala Metropolitan Area at State House Entebbe.
Museveni emphasized that the NRM prioritizes "politics of interest" that benefit the people, highlighting the significant role of ghetto communities in Uganda’s liberation. He urged the youths to hold their leaders accountable and demand the resources and support meant for them. The President also recounted his long-standing connection with ghetto communities, tracing it back to the 1960s, and rejected claims that his recent engagements with these communities were new.
To support the ghetto SACCOs, President Museveni fulfilled his Shs 1.2 billion pledge, distributing Shs 100 million to each of the 12 SACCOs in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono. He encouraged the youths to engage in small businesses, artisanship, and other economic activities to improve their livelihoods, while cautioning against being misled by politicians with selfish motives.
The President also emphasized the importance of government initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) in alleviating poverty and improving the lives of all Ugandans. The Minister of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda, thanked President Museveni for his support of the ghetto communities, emphasizing that they are integral to Uganda and contribute significantly to its development.
The ghetto project, which began under President Museveni’s guidance in March 2022, aims to empower ghetto youth by providing them with leadership training and resources. Brig Gen Christopher Dhamulira, director of crime intelligence and project coordinator, noted that the structure was officially launched by the Minister of Internal Affairs in August 2022 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium, and that the project has already seen significant progress.
With this initiative, the Ugandan government is taking a crucial step towards addressing the needs and concerns of ghetto communities, and President Museveni’s commitment to serving all Ugandans is a welcome development for the country’s youth.