The First National Vice Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, has praised ghetto youth in Busoga subregion for rejecting opposition politicians whom he accused of attempting to use them for criminal activities ahead of the 2026 elections.
Speaking at a meeting with ghetto youth leaders in Mafubira, Jinja City North Division, Kigongo said the youth had chosen development over violence.
“Some selfish politicians wanted to use the youth to commit crime, but they shunned them,” he said.
The meeting also saw the disbursement of Shs100 million to 12 ghetto youth SACCOs in Busoga, part of a government empowerment program launched by President Yoweri Museveni in 2022 to promote economic development and reduce crime in urban communities.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, Director of Crime Intelligence and coordinator of the ghetto structures project, said crime in Jinja had dropped significantly since the initiative began.
“For those who persist in crime, we shall arrest you,” he warned, while assuring law-abiding youth of continued police cooperation.
Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Hajj Farouk Kirunda urged government to increase funding for the program, citing overwhelming demand from ghetto youth.
He also appealed to them to support President Museveni in the upcoming elections.
Kigongo pledged to push for more funds under the initiative and reminded the youth that President Museveni has long associated with ghetto communities, citing historical figures who supported his liberation struggle.
Beneficiaries of the program welcomed the funding and called on government to also inject more resources into the judiciary to fast-track court cases involving their peers.
The event was attended by senior security officials, including Maj. Gen. Ddamulira, NRM leaders, and local authorities.
