In its attempt to curb unemployment and poverty among youth, the government of Uganda launched the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) in 2013, with a total of about 265 billion Uganda Shillings approved by the Ugandan Parliament to fund various youth projects across 112 districts in Uganda, including Kampala City. Gulu was no exception.
In 2017 and 2018, several youth groups in Gulu benefited from this large-scale project, although the recovery of funds faced some challenges. A few arrests were made for individuals who did not follow the guiding principles of the YLP, according to Mr. Santos Otto, the YLP Project Coordinator.
In 2021/2022, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was revived, and a total of 10 new groups were scrutinized and selected to benefit from the Youth Livelihood Programme. While recovery remains a challenge, 5 more youth groups have been confirmed as fresh beneficiaries of the Youth Livelihood Programme funding in Gulu City. These five groups include:
- Bus Park C Youth Hair Dressing
- Cubu Acoyo Youth Piggery
- Pawel Central Youth Piggery
- Oguru Bright Star Youth Piggery
- Vanguard Goats Rearing
This brings the total number of groups currently benefiting from the project to 15, with a total sum of about 500 million shillings. However, only 168 million shillings have been recovered, representing 35% of the funds initially disbursed to the first groups, according to Santos Otto, the Gulu City Youth Livelihood Programme Project Focal Point Person.
“We’re happy that we can support another group of youth who have shown commitment and provided all the required documentation, proving they are deserving of support. However, as we continue to support them, we call upon those responsible for fund recovery to work harder and ensure that repayments are made. It is from these recovered funds that we can continue to support other groups applying to benefit from the same project,” said Santos Otto.
Gulu City Mayor, His Worship Alfred Okwanga, in his remarks, advised youth to work hard, focus on smart investments, and embrace agriculture, tree planting, and livestock farming as long-term solutions to poverty eradication.
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner of Laroo Pece Division cautioned youth against diverting funds meant for specific projects. He affirmed that directives have been issued to arrest anyone found misusing or mismanaging these funds.
“We’ve received fresh directives from His Excellency the President to arrest anyone found misusing and mismanaging funds allocated by the government for the benefit of the people, including those for PDM, EMMYIOGA, Youth Livelihood Programme, and others,” he stated. He encouraged youth to join the Parish Development Model (PDM) and focus on life-changing investments.
Gulu, like other districts in Northern Uganda, has benefited from various government projects, such as NUSAF, PRDP, PRELNOR, EMMYIOGA, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and PDM, all aimed at improving livelihoods.
