Government Spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo, has scoffed at critics of President Yoweri Museveni’s approach to empowering the youth by giving them money so as to support their different development projects.
Last year, the President met several youth groups in Kampala and Wakiso and commissioned a number of projects he funded through formation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs).
The support came in form of equipment for projects like carpentry and joinery, wielding and metal fabrication while to others, it came in terms of starting capital.
The move attracted criticism from some members of the public including Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante who on the floor of Parliament in September, demanded to know the criteria the President had used to select the beneficiaries as well as the source of the money.
Other critics within the opposition as well as economists have previously said that the President’s handouts are not sustainable. Instead, they advise that government addresses challenges such as high cost of credit which impende youths from engaging in enterprises.
On Tuesday, while addressing the press on Monday’s Cabinet resolutions at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Ofwono said that it was resolved that the support by the President should continue since huge numbers of people approach the Head of State with problems that the existing Ministries have failed to address.
“There have been questions among members of the public and others on how President Yoweri Museveni distributes money. It was agreed that the President will continue to give out this money for various reasons,” Ofwono said.
“Some issues aren’t tackled by the budget. Citizens go to the President with various personal reasons that the existing Ministries don’t cater for. For that and more reasons, the President will continue to give away money in an organized manner,” he added.