President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to boost funding for ghetto-based development projects in Kampala from UGX 100 million to UGX 1 billion per structure annually. He said the move aims to address the pressing needs of urban poor communities struggling with unemployment and limited access to capital.
Museveni made the announcement during a tour of Kawempe Division, as part of his renewed wealth creation campaign under the Parish Development Model (PDM). Speaking in Bwaise II, Nabukalu Zone—one of Kampala’s most densely populated areas—the President acknowledged the unique challenges faced by ghetto residents.
“Now here in the ghetto, because of the high population numbers, we can go from UGX 100 million to UGX 1 billion per parish per year for the ghetto structures alone,” President Museveni said.
He emphasized that this funding will be separate from the standard PDM allocations already in place. Kawempe’s 22 parishes currently receive UGX 2.2 billion annually under PDM, while Kampala as a whole will now get an additional UGX 5 billion dedicated specifically to ghetto initiatives.
Despite heavy rains, Museveni visited local enterprises benefiting from previous funding rounds, including tailoring shops, bakeries, goat farms, and mechanical workshops. He stressed the importance of “pro-poor budgeting” and criticized excessive government spending on administrative costs.
“Some of the expenditure is not productive. Money spent on salaries for district officials, new districts, and unnecessary administrative units should be going to the poor, to PDM, and ghetto empowerment,” he stated.
The President called on residents to hold local leaders accountable and monitor the use of public funds allocated for development.
“Follow the money and ensure it is not eaten. You received UGX 500,000 and managed to start something. That shows the potential when funds reach the right people,” he urged.
Museveni also made a personal appeal for political support, arguing that his efforts to empower the poor would be more effective with broader grassroots backing.
“Support me politically so I’m not just left in the hands of technocrats and parliamentarians. If we unite and you support these programs, we can transform Uganda from the bottom up,” he said.
Reflecting on his early connections with the urban poor, Museveni recounted his first visit to Katwe in 1968 as a student activist. He explained how the ghetto’s involvement in the liberation struggle laid the foundation for a long-standing relationship.
“In 1971, when Amin took power, we met that afternoon and decided to fight him. He had no chance because he didn’t understand anything,” Museveni recalled.
Local ghetto leaders praised the government’s efforts and presented additional requests. Sadam Kiggundu, popularly known as Amigo, called for specialized training centers to equip youth with practical skills.
“We need centers for tailoring, welding, carpentry, especially now that the number of vulnerable children in Kawempe has grown from 700 in 2022 to over 4,000 in 2024,” he said.
Sserunkuuma Nesta Sabiiti, aka Peace-Keeper, said the President’s visits have inspired renewed hope.
“It’s good that you’ve come in the rain; now you have seen how we live when it floods. We appreciate you and promise full support in the 2026 presidential election,” he said.
Others shared how previous funding had transformed their lives. Opicia Dorothy used UGX 500,000 to launch a broom business and now educates all seven of her children. Farmers Mubiru Wilberforce and Oscar Ssematimba turned an initial investment in two goats into a thriving herd of 25.
President Museveni concluded his visit by reaffirming his commitment to education and youth empowerment. He criticized illegal school fees and urged local leaders to supervise education reforms more rigorously. He also praised State House skilling hubs, which provide vocational training to uneducated youth.
“We’ve shown that you can turn someone with nothing into someone productive. Everyone now wants skilling hubs,” he said.
The day’s activities ended with a rally at Kawempe Mbogo Mosque Playground, where the President rallied residents to embrace the government’s bottom-up economic strategy.
