Museveni Donates UGX 2.8bn to Ghetto Youth in Kampala

President Yoweri Museveni has given 2.8 billion Shillings to youth in Kampala City slums. 

On Thursday, the President gave the youth in slams of Nakulabye in Rubaga Division 1.3 billion shillings, 500 million shillings was given to Katanga Young People Cooperative Society in Kansanga, Makindye Division and another 500 million shillings was given to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Councilors under their Economic Agenda SACCO.

The money was an effort of the Director of Crime Intelligence Brig Gen Chris Damulira. “H.E. the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reinforced support for Kampala ghetto SACCOs by fulfilling additional financial commitments. This follows the success of a pilot project led by Brigadier General Ddamulira and Major Emma Kuteesa, which has economically empowered ghetto youth and reduced crime,” Kituuma Rusoke, the police spokesperson said.

The given to the youth in slams known as Ghetto brings the total amount given out in the last two years to 7 billion shillings. 

In September last year, Museveni gave out 1.2 billion shillings to seven Ghetto groups. These included The beneficiary groups include; Kawempe North Ghetto Cooperative Society Ltd, Masajja Para Zone Ghetto Youth Development Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, and Kasokoso Ghetto Cooperative Society Ltd.

Other groups included South Ghetto Cooperative Society Ltd, Makindye West Youths with Skills Cooperative Society Ltd, Kampala Kisenyi III Ghetto Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Rubaga Kakeeka Zone Dwellers Cooperative Society Ltd, Nakawa Division Ghetto Cooperative Society Ltd and Makindye East Ghetto Youth Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd.

In December 2023, Museveni gave 100 million shillings to each of the 30 Ghetto groups which totaled to 3 billion shillings. 

Political analysts note that the billions donated to the youth in slams is a waste because it has not and will not have any impacts on the intended beneficiaries.

Siraje Kifampa and John Kikonyogo say Museveni’s money cannot cause any economic impact on the youth in slums because they are not prepared.

“When you give money to someone who is sleeping hungry, they will just spend it on buying items that give them a decent life. They cannot invest in a business when they are sleeping hungry. Besides, this money in most cases goes to very few individuals who claim to be the leaders of these Ghetto groups,” Kikonyogo said. 

Kifampa said people in slams rarely benefit from such money because it is consumed by those who identify themselves as leaders. According to Kifampa, Museveni should ask those who claim to be leaders to provide accountability and also show him the business that has started from it.

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Kikonyogo adds that even when the youth are skilled, the government should have mechanisms to help them have a market for what they have produced. He says if the youth are trained to make mats or clothes, then the government should ensure their products have a market and the same should be done for money given out in cash form.  

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Some of these groups have turned out to be very dangerous to communities where they live after getting money. One group called Al-Qaeda which was based in Kibuli killed one of their members last December and security forces were forced to raze down their makeshift.