Kigezi Region Ghetto Youth Urge Government Inclusion for PDM Funds

KABALE: Ghetto youth in the Kigezi Region are urging government officials to include them in the distribution of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, believing that such inclusion will enable them to start their own businesses and reduce their inclination towards theft.

During a meeting held on2/8/2024,at their headquarters, known as the White House in Central Division, Kabale District, members of the KIGEZI NRM GHETTO COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION voiced their concerns about their exclusion from government financial support programs. They expressed frustration that, unlike ghetto groups in Kampala, their own group of over 1,000 members has never received any financial assistance from the government.

Asiimwe Musa, the Ghetto President of the Kigezi Region, highlighted the disparity, noting that while ghetto groups in Kampala have benefited from government funds, the Kigezi youth have felt neglected. Musa pointed out that one of the significant barriers they face is the requirement for a National ID, which many of them do not possess, thus hindering their access to government programs.

Musa further revealed that some ghetto youths had undergone training at the Hub Kitumba industrial center but were unable to use their new skills due to a lack of startup capital. As a result, many have returned to the streets.

In addition, some ghetto youth appealed to the government for future support, specifically requesting startup capital for those trained at the Hub. They argued that this support is crucial for their economic development and integration into the broader economy.

Mugisha Ronald, the Deputy Speaker of Kabale District and guest of honor at the meeting, promised to address the concerns of the ghetto youth with fellow leaders and stakeholders. He committed to convening the youth in the region and providing training on patriotism and civic duty.

The PDM initiative aims to increase household incomes and improve the quality of life for Ugandans, focusing on transforming subsistence households into participants in the money economy and eradicating poverty and vulnerability across both rural and urban settings.