Political interference is frustrating the implementation of the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara has said.
While appearing before the Committee on Gender, Labour, and Social Development on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Barugahara said some politicians mislead beneficiaries into believing the funds are a government handout.
“In Busoga, a politician told people during a rally that ‘this money is for you to eat.’ When a leader says such things, you do not expect beneficiaries to pay back,” Barugahara stated.
The two programmes provide financial support and capacity building for youth and women groups, targeting vulnerable communities. The funds operate on a revolving basis, with beneficiaries expected to refund the money within three years.
Barugahara cited instances in West Nile where NRM mobilizers claimed the funds were a pending payment from the party. He also accused law enforcement officers of failing to act against local leaders who defraud the programmes.
“In Butebo District, a chairperson stole Shs8.5 million meant for a group and fled to another district. He was arrested but later released. The group has not benefited because of his actions,” he said.
The minister further blamed the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development for weakening implementation through budget cuts. He said limited funds have left a “skeleton” budget for the programme’s secretariat, supervision, and loan collection.
“Ever since I became a minister, I have traveled across the country, but out of 100 percent of my trips, the ministry has only facilitated 10 percent. Am I supposed to use my salary for supervision work?” Barugahara asked.
National Coordinator for UWEP and YLP, Winfred Masiko, said only 10 percent of the programme’s total allocation is used to support the secretariat.
“The money we send to local governments is too little for supervision, training, and loan recovery. Our focal persons are often overwhelmed by other programmes,” Masiko noted.
Despite the challenges, she highlighted the programme’s impact, revealing that Shs79 billion has been recovered out of the Shs329 billion disbursed, despite setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Busongora County North MP Sowedi Kitanywa, a former YLP district coordinator, called for a dedicated community development fund to address gaps in supervision.