With just two months left to the general elections, Democratic Party Vice President Fred Mukasa Mbidde has revealed that there is growing tension inside State House — and that President Yoweri Museveni is now pouring billions of shillings into the ghettos to silence restless youths.
According to Mbidde, top generals close to the President have admitted that Museveni fears the power of the ghetto youth and worries they could easily be used by opposition politicians or foreign actors to cause chaos in the capital.
“I was talking to one of the top Generals. I asked him why President Museveni is bothered with the people of Kampala because it is clear they don’t want him and will not vote for him,” Mbidde said.
“He told me that if Museveni ignores those boys, they can easily be used to wreak havoc because they have nothing to lose.”
Billions Flowing to the Ghettos
Over the last year, the government has injected huge sums of money into ghetto-based groups and SACCOs across Kampala.
In December 2023, Museveni handed out Shs1.2 billion to 12 ghetto SACCOs in the city, each receiving Shs100 million. He said the support was meant to “empower youths in urban poor areas to earn a living and stay away from crime.”
Then in mid-2025, the President again announced that every ghetto parish under the Parish Development Model (PDM) would now receive Shs1 billion annually — up from the earlier Shs100 million. The fund targets youth in Kampala’s slum areas, including Kisenyi, Katwe, Bwaise, and Kamwokya.
Museveni said this was part of his plan to ensure that “the ghetto is not left behind in the country’s development journey.”
Why the Sudden Attention?
Observers believe the move is part of Museveni’s broader strategy to calm tension in urban areas where opposition support remains strong. Kampala and its surrounding divisions have consistently voted against the ruling NRM party in past elections.
A senior government source told this publication that these investments are also about “keeping the peace” and avoiding any sparks of violence during the election period.
Still, opposition leaders like Mbidde say the sudden generosity is political. “If these programs were truly about empowerment, they wouldn’t only appear when elections are near,” Mbidde added.
What’s Next
Whether the billions being poured into the ghettos will win over the hearts of Kampala’s youth remains to be seen. But one thing is clear — the battle for the city’s soul has already begun, and this time, Museveni is using money as his strongest weapon.
