Summary:
The President of the foundation, Musa Asiimwe emphasized that although they have an established office for the Kigezi NRM Ghetto Friends Foundation, they have yet to receive any government support.
KABALE: The Members of the Kigezi NRM Ghetto Friends Foundation have expressed concerns about being excluded from government projects, unlike their counterparts in other regions.
Speaking to our reporter at the foundation office in Kabale Municipality, the President of the foundation, Musa Asiimwe, stated that while most of the 500 Ghetto Youth members in Kigezi possess valuable skills, they lack the necessary support to utilize them effectively. He lamented that despite witnessing President Museveni providing start-up capital to Ghetto Youth in other regions, their group has not received similar benefits.
Asiimwe emphasized that although they have an established office for the Kigezi NRM Ghetto Friends Foundation, they have yet to receive any government support. He argued that with proper empowerment, members could engage in productive activities, improving their livelihoods and fostering development.
He, therefore, appealed to President Museveni to formally inaugurate their structure, enabling them to access funding like other Ghetto groups across the country.
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Tadeo Mastiko, Secretary of the foundation, disclosed that they have initiated the formation of a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) to promote a saving culture among members. Meanwhile, Joshua Akansasira, the foundation’s Sports Minister and a diploma holder in Tourism and Hotel Management, believes that the official inauguration of their structure would significantly reduce redundancy among members and provide the much-needed support to enhance their productivity.
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Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Godfrey Nyakahuma affirmed that Ghetto Youth are eligible to benefit from government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM). However, he urged them to become more organized and mobilized to take advantage of available opportunities, stressing the government’s commitment to helping them transition from the streets to a stable and productive life.
He revealed that over 10 Ghetto Youth members have received training and acquired various skills at the Kigezi Zonal Presidential Hub—one of 19 hubs nationwide that offer free vocational training. Additionally, he noted that the government is mobilizing resources to construct social centers equipped with tools and equipment, enabling hub graduates to continue practicing their skills and achieve self-reliance.
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In 2023, President Museveni donated Shs 1.2 billion to 12 Ghetto SACCOS in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono. Beneficiaries included groups from Rubaga Kakeeka Zone, Kasangati, Kampala Central Division, Nakawa Division, Makindye East, Kawempe South, Makindye West, Kawempe North, Mukono Industrial, Kasokoso, Nansana Division, and Masajja Para Zone in Makindye. Each group received Shs 100 million, fulfilling a pledge the President made during a meeting with Ghetto Youth at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Now, members of the Kigezi NRM Ghetto Friends Foundation are urging President Museveni to extend similar support to their region. They argue that such empowerment will help address youth unemployment and promote social transformation.
