Jinja, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to inject more funds into Ghetto youth SACCOs across the Busoga sub-region, provided the Shs100 million already disbursed per district is used for its intended purpose of promoting self-development and income generation.
“We shall add more funds to this [Sacco programme], but I urge you to stay away from crime and focus on productive activities. Bring more of your colleagues to join these SACCOs so they too can reform,” Mr Museveni cautioned.
This message was delivered by the NRM First National Vice Chairman, Hajj Moses Kigongo, while representing the President at a meeting with Ghetto youths at Mafubira Trading Centre in Jinja Northern Division. He urged the youths to stay away from political violence and focus on economic empowerment.
“Currently, the heated campaigns are targeting youths like you to engage in political violence — this is bad and unacceptable. I ask you to shun violent politics and instead focus on developing yourselves using the money given to you by the President through your SACCOs,” Hajj Kigongo said.
The NRM’s youth empowerment initiative was launched in 2022 by President Museveni to uplift Ghetto youths through financial inclusion and vocational support. The program has since transformed lives in several urban centres by reducing crime and promoting entrepreneurship.
Jinja City leaders, led by the Deputy Resident City Commissioner for the Northern Division, Mr. Nagaya Kiganira, commended the President for investing in the youth, describing the initiative as a life-changing opportunity for communities once marginalized.
“This initiative is key in uplifting the standards of Ghetto youths who were once seen as unworthy. We thank the President for this continuous support,” Kiganira said.
Maj Gen Christopher Ddamulira, who leads the security coordination in the region, also testified that the program has greatly contributed to the reduction of criminal activities in Jinja City. “I am happy to see transformed youths — the ones I see today are totally different from those I found here earlier. This is a great achievement and proof that cooperation with the youth works,” Ddamulira noted.
Speaking at the same function, the Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Hajj Faruk Kirunda, appealed to the President to consider increasing funding for the Jinja Ghetto Youth SACCO due to the overwhelming number of beneficiaries. “The number of youths in Jinja exceeds those registered, and I will ask the President to add more funds to the SACCO,” Kirunda said.
Hajj Kigongo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue funding youth empowerment initiatives, urging beneficiaries to remain disciplined, law-abiding, and cooperative with security agencies.
The beneficiaries, in turn, pledged their support for President Museveni in the upcoming 2026 general elections and appealed for additional funding to the judiciary to expedite court processes for detained youth.
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