By Joseph muyingo
The transformation of ghetto communities is becoming evident four years after President Yoweri Museveni initiated the Presidential Ghetto Youth Empowerment Programme in 2022, aimed at organising youth into structured groups, supporting their SACCOs with funding and promoting mindset change.
Under the coordination of Maj General Christopher Ddamulira, the director of crime intelligence programme has expanded beyond Kampala, with calls for increased funding to reach more youth.
In 2022, President Yoweri Museveni initiated a programme aimed at transforming ghetto communities by organising youth into groups, supporting their SACCOs, providing financial assistance and promoting mindset change.
Four years later, nearly 3.8 billion shillings is reported to have been invested in the initiative, with some beneficiaries in Kampala saying it has helped them move away from crime and embrace income-generating activities.
Maj General Christopher Ddamulira the supervisor of this program says the initiative has registered progress over the past four years, with beneficiaries using funds channelled through their SACCOs to establish small businesses and support their families.
He says the programme initially targeted young people struggling with crime, drug abuse and violence, with the aim of helping them embrace productive activities and become economically independent.
In Rubaga Division, Ghetto Coordinator Jackie Nakalema and Hassan mayanja kitanta in makindye says the programme has changed the behaviour and mindset of beneficiaries, encouraging them to become responsible community leaders
Beneficiaries say the funds have enabled some young people to start businesses like selling shoes, clothes and food products. However, they want the President to increase funding to support more youth and expand existing businesses.
Despite the reported progress, beneficiaries are calling for more funding and continued support to extend the programme’s impact to more ghetto youth across the country.
