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 14th 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, reorganise 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.
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