SENIOR PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR BYARUHANGA REITERATES PRESIDENT MUSEVENI’S PLAN TO INJECT SHS200M INTO EACH KAMPALA YOUTH SACCO

Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Political Mobilisation, Mr. Moses
Byaruhanga, has reiterated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s plan to
inject Shs200 million into each youth SACCO in the five divisions of
Kampala city as part of efforts to expand economic opportunities for young
people.

“We are going to give you that money. We were supposed to do it last year,
but the elections came in,” he assured the youth.
Mr. Byaruhanga made the remarks on Friday 14 th August, 2026 while
officiating as chief guest at the belated Youth Day celebrations held in
Kawempe Division, organised by the Kawempe Youth Council under the
leadership of its chairperson, Isaac Sebuufu.

He urged young people to embrace entrepreneurship and create
employment rather than relying solely on formal jobs.

“We have various initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM)
and Emyooga. I urge you as youth leaders to make sure that the 30
percent PDM share meant for the youth fully benefits them,” Mr.
Byaruhanga said.

Mr. Byaruhanga also reiterated the government’s plan to increase the PDM
funding allocation from Shs100 million to Shs300 million per parish, saying

the move is intended to enable more people to benefit from the
programme.

He dismissed claims that the Shs1 million PDM allocation per beneficiary
has had little impact in Kampala, urging critics to visit beneficiaries and
assess the impact of the programme.

“I don’t agree with someone saying that the Shs1 million PDM money has
not been impactful in Kampala. Take time to visit several beneficiaries in
the city; they will prove you otherwise. Many people have been able to
utilise the funds and their lives have improved,” he said.

However, Mr. Byaruhanga expressed concern over the performance of the
Emyooga programme in Kampala, revealing that only 303 of the 566
SACCOs were functional, while 263 were no longer functioning.

He said the government would assess the existing Emyooga SACCOs,
reorganise them and inject additional funding into those that demonstrate
potential.

“For the Emyooga SACCOs which perform well, we always do top-ups of
Shs20 million. If properly utilised, the SACCOs can grow their savings and
capital to hundreds of millions of shillings over time. We are going to do an
assessment on the existing Emyooga SACCOs, re-organise them and
inject more money,” he said.

According to Mr. Byaruhanga, the government injects about Shs100 billion
annually in Emyooga top-up funding.

He added that, as with PDM, the government intends to ensure greater
transparency by sending funds directly to Emyooga beneficiaries' accounts.

He also addressed concerns surrounding Katale and boda boda loans,
saying the programmes are already in place and the government is working
out mechanisms to ensure eligible beneficiaries can access them more
easily.

He revealed that President Museveni last year injected Shs12 billion into
boda boda SACCOs in Kampala, in addition to Shs100 million for each
ghetto SACCO.

“However, we should ask ourselves how these SACCOs are utilising these
funds,” he said.

Common-user facility to support skilled youth:

Mr. Byaruhanga also announced that the government has already
established a common-user facility at Mulago II Parish, which will provide
skilled youth with access to machinery and equipment to manufacture
products such as shoes, bags, belts, sweaters, books and sanitary pads.

He said youth would initially be allowed to use the machines without paying
a fee, with modest charges for utilities such as electricity and water
expected to be introduced later.

“In the first year, you are not required to pay anything to use these
machines. However, in the following years, we shall require you to pay a
little fee for electricity and water. All this is done for you, the youth, to make
money and fight poverty,” he said.

The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (DRCC) of Kawempe Division,
Mr. Kagenyi Lukka, told the youth that the government considers them
central to the country’s development, citing programmes such as the Youth

Livelihood Programme, Emyooga, PDM and skilling hubs meant to
empower them.

He urged young people to understand that empowerment goes beyond
financial support and requires a change in mindset.

“But empowerment is not just money. It is a mindset. It is believing that a
boda rider can become a fleet owner. That a salonist can become a brand.
That a coder in Bwaise can export services to the world,” Mr. Lukka said.
“Don’t wait to be employed. Create employment.”

He further challenged the youth to use their skills and talents to serve their
communities, protect the environment and contribute to the development of
Kawempe.

The Kawempe Youth Council chairperson, Mr. Isaac Sebuufu, said the
Youth Day celebrations were intended to go beyond a one-day event and
create a lasting impact among young people in the division.

“We have youth here who are going to showcase their different skills to
inspire others,” Mr. Sebuufu said.

He said the celebrations also brought essential services closer to residents,
including a medical camp and National Identification and Registration
Authority (NIRA) services.

Mr. Sebuufu, who also leads the Mzeei Nju-Ku-nju Movement, thanked
President Museveni and Byaruhanga for supporting the initiative and said
the support had contributed to the group's mobilisation activities during the
recent general elections.