President Museveni Fulfills Pledge of Motorcycles to Kampala Ghetto SACCOs

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has delivered on his promise of 36 motorcycles to 12 ghetto structures in the Kampala metropolitan area. This is aimed at empowering the youth and boost economic activity in these communities. The motorcycles, three per Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO), were handed over by State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, at a ceremony held in Bwaise on September 4, 2024.

While delivering the motorcycles, Ms. Barekye conveyed the President's message urging the ghetto youth to "continue working hard, be disciplined, and love their country." She emphasized that the motorcycles should not sit idle but should instead be used to generate income for the SACCOs, enhancing the prosperity of their members.

“The motorcycles you have received are not to sit in your offices but to enhance the incomes of your SACCOs to further enhance your prosperity,” Ms. Barekye said.

The pledge of these motorcycles follows President Museveni’s earlier commitment made during a meeting with ghetto SACCO leaders at State House Entebbe on July 31, 2024. During that meeting, the President also fulfilled a Shs1.2 billion pledge to the 12 SACCOs, giving each group Shs100 million to support their various income-generating activities.

The beneficiary groups across the Kampala metropolitan area are: Kawempe North Ghetto Cooperative Society Ltd, Masajja Para Zone Ghetto Youth Development Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Kasokoso Ghetto Cooperative Society Ltd, Kawempe South Ghetto Cooperative Society Ltd, Makindye West Youths with Skills Cooperative Society Ltd, Kampala Kisenyi III Ghetto Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Rubaga Kakeeka Zone Dwellers Cooperative Society Ltd, Nakawa Division Ghetto Cooperative Society Ltd and Makindye East Ghetto Youth Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, Director of Crime Intelligence and coordinator of the ghetto structure project, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his support. He noted that the ghetto areas, once plagued by criminality, have seen significant transformation due to the President's interventions.

“Ghetto areas that were once places of criminality have now transformed into progressive and hardworking communities,” Brig. Gen. Ddamulira remarked.

The initiative, part of ongoing efforts by the government to uplift the youth in urban areas, builds on similar projects aimed at increasing household incomes and reducing poverty among vulnerable groups. The motorcycles are expected to ease transportation costs and open up new economic opportunities for the beneficiaries.

As the government continues to monitor the impact of these efforts, Maj. Emmanuel Kuteesa, another coordinator of the ghetto structure project, highlighted the importance of ensuring the ghetto youth acquire national identification cards to open bank accounts and transition into more formal business operations.

“We’re compiling lists of those who have started income-generating projects to ensure we monitor and keep tracking their progress,” Maj. Kuteesa added.

It should be noted that in a meeting at State House Entebbe on 31st July, 2024, the President assured the ghetto youths that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government is pro-people that emphasises politics of interest and works for all Ugandans. He also rallied the ghetto youths to hold their leaders accountable and demand what is meant for them.

The ceremony was also attended by the District Police Commander (DPC) for Kawempe Division, SP Muwonge Abel, the DPC Wandegeya, SP Hiwumbire Hassan and Ogwang Steven, the OC Operations for Wandegeya, among others.