IGANGA – President Yoweri Museveni has been hailed for championing the economic empowerment and rehabilitation of ghetto communities after leaders from across the Busoga sub-region elected a new regional leadership to spearhead the government’s Ghetto Structure Initiative.
The elections took place during a three-day Busoga Sub-region Ghetto Structure Leaders’ Retreat held at Bishop Willis Centre in Iganga Municipality under the theme, “Empowering the Ghettos for a Crime-Free Society.” The retreat brought together leaders from 131 ghetto depots across the 11 districts of Busoga and Jinja City to discuss strategies for fighting crime, promoting responsible leadership and improving livelihoods through government empowerment programmes.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Project, Maj. Emma Kutesa, commended President Museveni for initiating the programme aimed at transforming disadvantaged youth who had long been excluded from government wealth creation initiatives.
He said the President recognised the challenges facing many young people living in ghettos and deliberately established structures through which they could organise themselves, access financial support and participate in national development.
Maj. Kutesa also praised the Director of Crime Intelligence and National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Project, AIGP Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, for assessing conditions in Busoga’s ghettos and recommending government intervention.
He equally recognised the efforts of the Office of the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation, led by Alhaji Faruk Kirunda, and the State House Comptroller for coordinating the initiative.
He urged the newly elected and existing leaders to mobilise fellow youth to embrace government wealth creation programmes instead of engaging in criminal activities.
“Your responsibility is to help your fellow youth join the money economy by sensitising them to utilise government programmes that improve livelihoods,” Maj. Kutesa said.
He further warned leaders against shielding criminals, saying the structures must instead become partners of security agencies in combating crime.
“Do not hide criminals. Report them and their criminal plans. Uganda has changed and there is no room for criminality,” he said.
Maj. Kutesa assured participants that government would continue injecting more funds into well-managed ghetto SACCOs, provided transparency and accountability were upheld.
He cautioned leaders against corruption, insisting that all beneficiaries must belong to recognised ghetto structures and that funds should be transferred directly to beneficiaries through bank accounts to minimise abuse.
The National Female Youth MP, Hon. Mercy Kanyesigye, encouraged beneficiaries to continue supporting President Museveni, whom she credited with extending financial empowerment opportunities to disadvantaged youth across the country.
She urged young people to use government support productively, acquire vocational and technical skills, avoid drug abuse, protect themselves against HIV/AIDS and work closely with security agencies in maintaining peace.
According to Kanyesigye, youth living in ghettos possess enormous potential to contribute to Uganda’s development if given the right opportunities.
Commissioner for the RDC Secretariat in charge of Eastern Uganda, Col. Dhamuzungu Oguli, challenged the leaders to use the newly established structures as platforms for promoting discipline, eliminating criminality and mobilising communities against poverty.
He advised leaders to cooperate closely with Resident District Commissioners and security agencies by providing credible information on habitual offenders while ensuring due process is followed.
Col. Dhamuzungu also encouraged leaders to identify the skills of members and connect them to appropriate government wealth creation programmes, including the Parish Development Model and President Museveni’s Four-Acre Model for commercial agriculture.
He stressed that proper accountability in managing government resources would encourage continued financial support from government.
Several government officials attending the retreat praised the initiative for changing lives.
Kapchorwa RDC Stanley Bayole urged youth to embrace commercial agriculture, saying living in a ghetto should never define one’s future.
Deputy RDC for Namutumba District Paul Waiswa applauded President Museveni and Alhaji Faruk Kirunda for extending empowerment initiatives to Busoga, saying the training had equipped youth leaders with practical knowledge for responsible leadership.
Luuka Assistant RDC Rogers Ntogona revealed that each ghetto SACCO across Busoga’s 11 districts and Jinja City had received Shs100 million, noting that many beneficiaries had established businesses and abandoned crime.
Participants described the retreat as life-changing.
Mayuge District Ghetto President Naikoba Rehema said the training had equipped participants with valuable business skills while encouraging youth to reject crime and drug abuse.
Iganga District Ghetto President Frank Tanaz said the initiative had transformed public perceptions about ghettos, noting that many young people had abandoned criminal activities in favour of productive ventures.
Busembatia Depot Commander Mutesi Zalika said the leadership lessons acquired during the retreat would be implemented to foster development within local communities.
The retreat concluded with elections for the Busoga Regional Ghetto Structure leadership through the lining-up voting method.
Contestants competed for nine regional positions, including Ghetto Giant, General Secretary, Treasurer, Secretary for Rehabilitation and Empowerment, Secretary for Research, Security and Intelligence, Secretary for Mobilisation, Ghetto Spokesperson, Secretary for Welfare and Secretary for Female Affairs.
Chairperson of the Busoga Ghetto Electoral Commission, Waiswa Hatim Mpaata, declared Blessing Byakika of Jinja City the winner of the Ghetto Giant position after defeating Sserwanga Ahmed of Bugiri District.
In his acceptance speech, Byakika thanked President Museveni for empowering ghetto youth through various initiatives and appreciated the Office of the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation together with the Crime Intelligence Directorate for organising what he described as a transparent and credible election.
“We are organised today because of your efforts. You have nurtured and transformed us into responsible citizens,” Byakika said.
The newly elected Busoga Regional Ghetto Structure executive comprises Blessing Byakika as Ghetto Giant, Frank Tanaz as General Secretary, Sserwadda Sharny as Treasurer, Makanika Fahad as Secretary for Rehabilitation and Empowerment, Oundo Gilbert as Secretary for Research, Security and Intelligence, Anisha Takali Nanzala as Secretary for Mobilisation, Bulagala Najib as Ghetto Spokesperson, Basoma Isaac as Secretary for Welfare and Naikoba Rehema as Secretary for Female Affairs.
