President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with the leaders of the ghetto SACCOs from the Kampala Metropolitan Area at State House Entebbe on July 31, 2024, fulfilling his Shs1.2 billion pledge. The gathering included 100 ghetto youth leaders heading 12 SACCOs from areas such as Rubaga Kakeeka Zone, Kasangati Ghetto Community, and divisions of Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono. The President highlighted the historical significance of the ghetto people in Uganda’s liberation, tracing their involvement back to the 1950s when they were known as “Abawejere” and were central to the independence struggle.
Museveni recounted his own connection to the ghetto, mentioning his interactions with the Abawejere during the late 1960s and their role in fighting against former President Idi Amin following his coup in 1971. He reminisced about linking up with key figures like Abbas Kibazo and Zubair Bakari, emphasizing the ghetto’s consistent support in Uganda’s fight for independence and subsequent battles against oppressive regimes. He urged the ghetto youths to continue advocating for the interests of the masses, including free education and poverty alleviation programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
During the meeting, Museveni stressed the importance of holding leaders accountable and using the electoral power to remove ineffective representatives. He criticized both educated and uneducated people for failing to hold their leaders accountable, leading to issues like corruption and ineffective governance. He encouraged the ghetto youths to take advantage of government initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods and to avoid being manipulated by politicians with selfish motives.
The President’s fulfillment of the Shs1.2 billion pledge, promised during a previous meeting at Kololo Independence Grounds, was met with gratitude from the ghetto leaders. He urged the youths to invest the Shs100 million per SACCO in productive ventures such as small businesses and artisanal activities. Museveni praised the efforts of leaders like Brig. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira and Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, who have been instrumental in organizing and training the ghetto youth into functional SACCOs.
Brig. Gen. Ddamulira, Director of Crime Intelligence and project coordinator, highlighted the progress made since the project’s inception under Museveni’s guidance in March 2022. He noted that the formation of SACCOs and the election of leaders at various levels have empowered the ghetto youth, leading to a significant reduction in criminal activities and political violence. The ghetto leaders’ ability to save Shs13.7 million on their own prior to receiving the pledged funds was a testament to their commitment and transformation.
The ghetto leaders expressed their appreciation for Museveni’s support and reaffirmed their commitment to working with the government for socio-economic transformation. They requested inclusion in the PDM program, highlighting past exclusions due to perceptions about their capacity to manage funds. Museveni promised to address these concerns, ensuring that the ghetto youths are considered in future government programs.
The meeting was attended by key officials including State House Comptroller Ms. Jane Barekye, Maj. Emma Kutesa, Dr. Hillary Musoke Kisanja, and Nansana Deputy RDC Mr. Shafiq Ali Nsubuga. The event underscored the government’s dedication to uplifting marginalized communities and integrating them into the national development agenda.
