Youth and women groups in Ibanda District have received more than Shs153 million in government funding under the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP) to support income-generating activities and strengthen household livelihoods.
The funds, which have already been deposited into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, will support nine youth groups and 23 women groups during the 2025/2026 financial year.
Youth groups will share Shs41,220,000, while women groups will receive Shs111,780,000 as a revolving fund to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance, according to Josephat Musiime, the district focal person for the programs.
Speaking during celebrations at the Ibanda Municipal headquarters on Tuesday, Musiime urged beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly to grow their businesses and ensure repayment, so other groups can also benefit.
“This money is meant to help youth and women start and strengthen income-generating projects. I urge the beneficiaries to use it wisely and ensure that the revolving fund benefits many other groups in the future,” Musiime said.
The Mayor of Ibanda Municipality, Twine Apollo Kibeherere, said the funding is part of a broader government strategy to reduce poverty and improve family welfare.
“This money is intended to help families improve their income and contribute to the fight against poverty in our communities. I encourage the beneficiaries to invest it in productive projects that will transform their lives,” Kibeherere said.
Beneficiaries welcomed the support, pledging to use the funds effectively to grow their businesses and uplift their households.
“We thank the government for trusting us with these funds. We are committed to using the money properly so that our projects can succeed and help improve our families’ livelihoods,” one beneficiary said.
The Youth Livelihood Program and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program are government initiatives designed to provide financial support and skills development to youth and women groups, enabling them to start sustainable businesses and create employment opportunities.
