KAMPALA- President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday and Friday launched a donation drive –splashing out cash and equipment to select youth groups in Kampala and Wakiso district.
According to State House, the donations are meant to empower youth improve their livelihoods – a claim dismissed by the Opposition.
The President visited Katabi Artisans Sacco, Najja Furniture and Metal Works Association and Namasuba Furniture Makers Association.
Others were Kibuye Furniture Makers, Kibuye Welders Group, Nalukolongo Furniture Makers Association and Busega Welders and Furniture Makers groups.
Museveni said that in efforts to revamp the country’s shillings and the economy, Uganda must stop exporting raw materials and importing finished goods.
He said that this ‘business’ deprives the youth employment and affects the country’s economy especially the dollar against foreign currencies.
“Ugandans spend over Shs 18 billion annually importing all sorts of things and yet this means they are giving away not just money but jobs to people in other countries,” he said giving an example of hides and skins which are among Uganda’s exports.
“Uganda exports skins to other countries but later imports shoes, chairs and other products made from the hides and skin. We have to stop this by adding value and producing products for sale and export,” he said.
He also challenged the youth to refrain from joining leaders who are pre-occupied with opposing government programs and instead back leaders who will ensure their problems are attended to.
However, a section of youth from the Ghetto have instead praised Kyadondo East Member of parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine for exporting their voices to the entire world as well to the president.
Youth say their voices are ringing loud bells touching the hearts of many including the president who was forced to visit Ghetto twice in a space of two weeks also donating equipment and startup capital worth millions of shillings to various Sacco’s.
State House recently also rolled out a Ghetto initiative which according to Comptroller, Lucy Nakyobe, the programme spearheads the fight against unemployment and poverty.
