IGANGA

The Director of Crime Intelligence and National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Project, AIGP Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, has intensified President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s campaign to transform Uganda’s ghetto communities, bringing together leaders from 131 ghetto depots across Busoga to strengthen the fight against crime while accelerating youth economic empowerment.

The leaders convened at Bishop Willis Centre in Iganga Municipality for a three-day Busoga Sub-region Ghetto Structure Leaders’ Retreat held under the theme, “Empowering the Ghettos for a Crime-Free Society.” The retreat forms part of the government’s Ghetto Structure Initiative, which seeks to rehabilitate vulnerable youth, strengthen community leadership and integrate them into government wealth creation programmes.

Addressing the retreat, Deputy National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Project, Maj. Emma Kutesa, said President Museveni established the initiative after recognising that many young people living in ghettos had been unfairly excluded from government programmes because they were often labelled as criminals.

“President Museveni recognised that challenge and decided to inject funds into your SACCOs so that you could improve your livelihoods,” Maj. Kutesa said.

He urged the newly trained leaders to mobilise fellow youth to embrace government wealth creation programmes and improve household incomes.

Maj. Kutesa also challenged the leaders to work closely with security agencies by reporting criminal activity instead of protecting wrongdoers.

“There is no room for criminality. Anyone who still wants to engage in crime is on the wrong path,” he said.

He assured participants that government support would continue, revealing that well-managed SACCOs stand to receive additional funding provided they uphold transparency and accountability.

Maj. Kutesa further warned leaders against the misuse of government funds, stressing that only genuine members of the ghetto structures should benefit from the programme.

He applauded Maj. Gen. Ddamulira for personally assessing conditions in Busoga’s ghetto communities and recommending direct government intervention to improve the lives of thousands of young people.

National Female Youth MP Mercy Kanyesigye urged beneficiaries to use the financial support wisely so that government could confidently expand the programme to reach more youth.

She also encouraged young people to acquire vocational skills, avoid drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, and continue working closely with security agencies to safeguard peace.

“President Museveni sees great potential in the youth living in ghettos. You have an important role to play in transforming our country,” she said.

Commissioner in charge of RDCs in Eastern Uganda, Col. Dhamuzungu Oguli, called on the leaders to uphold discipline and become champions in the fight against crime within their communities.

He urged them to identify habitual criminals, cooperate with law enforcement agencies and ensure information shared with security organs is accurate and credible.

Beyond security, Col. Dhamuzungu encouraged the structures to spearhead economic transformation by mobilising youth into government programmes such as the Parish Development Model and President Museveni’s Four-Acre Model for commercial agriculture.

Other government officials also rallied behind the initiative.

Kapchorwa RDC Stanley Bayole challenged young people to embrace commercial agriculture, saying life in the ghetto should never limit one’s ambitions.

Deputy RDC for Namutumba District Paul Waiswa praised President Museveni and Alhaji Faruk Kirunda for extending empowerment programmes to Busoga’s ghetto communities, saying the retreat had equipped leaders with practical knowledge to improve livelihoods and become responsible citizens.

Luuka Assistant RDC Rogers Ntogona revealed that every ghetto SACCO across Busoga’s 11 districts and Jinja City had received Shs100 million, enabling many young people to establish businesses and abandon criminal activities.

Participants described the retreat as life-changing.

Mayuge District Ghetto President Naikoba Rehema said the training had equipped leaders with valuable business and leadership skills while encouraging young people to reject crime and drug abuse.

Iganga District Ghetto President Frank Tanaz said the initiative had transformed public perceptions about ghetto communities.

“Iganga was once labelled among the most violent districts, but through these structures many young people have abandoned crime and embraced positive change,” he said.

Busembatia Depot Commander Mutesi Zalika said participants were returning home with practical leadership skills that would accelerate community development.

Busoga Ghetto Leaders Elected

The retreat climaxed with elections for the Busoga Regional Ghetto Structure Executive, which will coordinate activities across the region’s 11 districts and Jinja City.

According to Busoga Ghetto Electoral Commission Chairperson Waiswa Hatim Mpaata, delegates elected leaders for nine regional positions through the lining-up voting system.

Blessing Byakika of Jinja City was elected Busoga Ghetto Giant after defeating Sserwanga Ahmed of Bugiri District.

In his acceptance speech, Byakika thanked President Museveni for empowering ghetto youth and pledged to strengthen the structures across Busoga.

“Today we are organised because of these efforts. We shall continue working to transform our communities,” he said.

Other elected leaders include Frank Tanaz (General Secretary), Sserwadda Sharny (Treasurer), Makanika Fahad (Secretary for Rehabilitation and Empowerment), Oundo Gilbert (Secretary for Research, Security and Intelligence), Anisha Takali Nanzala (Secretary for Mobilisation), Bulagala Najib (Spokesperson), Basoma Isaac (Secretary for Welfare) and Naikoba Rehema (Secretary for Female Affairs).

The retreat was organised by the Office of the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation and Deputy Press Secretary to the President, Alhaji Faruk Kirunda, in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force’s Crime Intelligence Directorate. Representing President Museveni, Kirunda reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering ghetto communities, strengthening grassroots leadership and ensuring that young people become active participants in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.