A frosty war is brewing between the Gender and Labour Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana and youth MPs over a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni this Saturday. The MPs accuse Bigirimana of blocking them from attending the function where President Museveni is expected to hand over an unspecified amount of money for different youth groups.
The youthful MPs led by Mwine Mpaka first disagreed with Bigirimana last year over distribution of money meant for the youth livelihood program.
Mpaka claims that during a review of the program, Bigirimana was asked to table the achievements of the scheme in 2018. Dissatisfied with his presentation, the youth attempted to demonstrate the next day but were blocked by heavy security deployment.
"We have statistics of youth unemployment which keep rising even after this program was introduced so can you please tell us what percentage the program has helped reduce unemployment since its inception?" Mpaka asked Bigirimana.
Bigirimana and the youth leaders have also disagreed on the creation of youth development bank. Bigirimana is reportedly opposed to the idea. The youth intended to channel meant for the program's activities from the Gender ministry through the Uganda Development Bank.
The youth say they were shocked to discover that they had not been invited to the Saturday function at which President Museveni will meet youth at parliament to hand over funds.
When contacted, the Gender PS Bigirimana hang up on Nile Post declining to comment on the matter.