The Busoga Sub-region Ghetto Structure Leaders' Retreat officially commenced on Saturday, July 11, at Bishop Willis Centre in Iganga Municipality, bringing together leaders from ghetto structures across the region for a three-day capacity-building programme.
The retreat, organised by the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation and Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Faruk Kirunda, in conjunction with the Uganda Police Force's Crime Intelligence Directorate, has attracted leaders from 131 ghetto depots across Busoga.
The initiative forms part of the government's broader rehabilitation and empowerment programme aimed at transforming ghetto communities, promoting responsible leadership, reducing crime and integrating young people into national development programmes.
Held under the theme, "Empowering the Ghettos for a Crime-Free Society," the retreat seeks to strengthen leadership capacity while promoting community development, security and socio-economic transformation.
Addressing participants, Busoga East Deputy Regional Police Commander Ahmed Asumira cautioned ghetto youth against being manipulated by what he described as "misleaders" pursuing selfish political interests.
"We should ensure that we overcome the challenges facing our region. We must not allow misleaders to misguide our youth into engaging in wrongdoing," Asumira said.
He urged young people to embrace government wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, saying the programmes offer opportunities for economic empowerment and poverty reduction.
"We should fully participate in income-generating activities that will help us fight poverty in Busoga and improve our livelihoods," he added.
Asumira also encouraged ghetto leaders to work closely with the Uganda Police Force and other security stakeholders to promote peace and security in their communities.
"As ghetto leaders, you should work closely with police leadership in your respective areas. You should also coordinate with key stakeholders, including the District Security Committees led by the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), to strengthen crime prevention efforts," he said.
Speaking at the same retreat, Namutumba District Patriotism Coordinator Godfrey Mukisa commended President Yoweri Museveni for supporting initiatives aimed at transforming ghetto communities through crime reduction and youth empowerment.
"We should use this opportunity provided by the government to transform our lives. The government is playing its part, and we must also play our part by taking advantage of these programmes," Mukisa said.
"We should demonstrate our appreciation by doing what is right and making productive use of the opportunities available to us."
Mukisa urged participants to embrace patriotism by contributing positively to Uganda's development, stability and prosperity.
"Genuine patriotism is about loving one's country while actively working to improve it," he said.
He also encouraged the youth to acquire practical and vocational skills that would enable them to become self-reliant through employment and entrepreneurship.
The retreat follows the recent election of ghetto structure leaders across the Busoga sub-region and is expected to equip them with leadership skills while strengthening community security, promoting socio-economic transformation and encouraging active participation in government development programmes.