Museveni turns down youth leaders demands for UGX 3.4 bn

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Museveni has declined to give 3.4 billion shillings to youth leaders.

The over 342 youth leaders from different districts who had converged at Dams’ Water Stadium in Jinja on Wednesday asked Museveni to give them 10 million Shillings each to foot their lodge expenses and also reward them for their efforts in supporting the NRM government.

Their request was presented by the national youth council secretary for finance, George Abdul who informed the President that the youth needed the funds to transform their lives and also mobilize others to embrace the NRM government.

Museveni however, informed youth that, the act of dishing out money to individuals is an act of selfishness and misleading the youth. He advised them to form Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies-SACCOs that will benefit all youth.

Museveni further pledged financial support to the youth council if they accept to form an all-inclusive youth Sacco.

A section of youth delegates who preferred anonymity for fear of repercussions disagreed with the President’s proposal. They argued that they are soon graduating from the youth age bracket and it will be hard for them to access financial aid from the state.

Asuman Wandera, the youth council chairperson for Jinja central division says that registration of Saccos is time-consuming and not a viable solution of empowering the youth.

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