The Director of Crime Intelligence at the Uganda Police Force and National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Programme, AIGP Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, has urged ghetto youth leaders in Busoga to champion a crime-free society by encouraging young people to embrace productive work and government empowerment programmes.
Ddamulira commended President Museveni for supporting the transformation of ghetto youth through social and economic empowerment initiatives, saying the programme has helped many young people change their lives.
“The President said you don’t need to go to jail; you need to live normally. But how do you live normally without something to eat? By working. That’s why he went ahead to empower you financially to start something for yourselves. This ghetto structure programme has been working well ever since we started it four years ago,” Ddamulira said.
He made the remarks on Monday, July 13, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the Busoga Sub-region Ghetto Structure Leaders’ Retreat held at Bishop Willis Centre in Iganga Municipality.
The three-day retreat, held under the theme “Empowering the Ghettos for a Crime-Free Society,” brought together leaders from 137 gazetted ghetto depots across the 11 districts and one city in the Busoga Sub-region.
Ddamulira said the Ghetto Structure Programme was established to reform and empower ghetto youth socially and economically while addressing challenges that often push young people into crime.
“This retreat has been crucial because you have been educated, empowered and given direction as ghetto youth leaders. Now you should sit together as leaders and find solutions for the boys and girls you left behind,” he said.
He revealed that a five-year master plan had been developed to support youth participation in income-generating activities.
“We now have a five-year master plan that will help you engage in income-generating activities. Those are the plans you need instead of getting involved in crime. This master plan is aimed at putting money into your pockets,” Ddamulira said.
Ddamulira disclosed that government has so far injected Shs3.2 billion into ghetto SACCOs across the country to support youth economic empowerment.
“This means jobs, hope, a sense of direction and a future for you and your families. Your colleagues in Kampala and Mukono utilised the financial support so well that the President was impressed and promised to add another Shs5 billion to the Ghetto Structure Programme. Your activities in Busoga also need financing, and that support will come,” he said.
He added that the programme has already been rolled out in Hoima, Masaka and Fort Portal, with plans to extend it to all cities across Uganda.
“We want to ensure that within the next five years, every ghetto youth has benefited from government funding,” he said.
Ddamulira encouraged ghetto youth to actively participate in governance by contesting for leadership positions, including Local Council I offices.
“I am happy that many of you are ready and willing to participate in the governance of this country. Contest for LC I positions and other leadership offices. When you succeed, you should be able to tell the ghetto story and contribute ideas that will ensure the continuity of this programme,” he said.
He urged the newly elected leaders to sensitise fellow youth and promote a crime-free society, noting that crime levels in many ghettos had reduced due to the work of the Ghetto Structure Programme.
“You cannot fight crime and build a crime-free society without addressing the challenges facing ghetto youth. Crime leads to loss of life, destruction of property, lawlessness, reduced tourism, reduced foreign direct investment, damage to the country’s image and poor public health,” he said.
Ddamulira called on youth to embrace patriotism, obey the law, cooperate with security agencies, participate in government poverty alleviation programmes and respect leadership.
He also proposed creating a platform where reformed youth can share their experiences to inspire others.
“When other ghetto youth hear such testimonies, they too can be encouraged to reform,” he said.
The Crime Intelligence Director cautioned youth against drug abuse, political violence and involvement in land conflicts.
“I want you to avoid drugs. Drug abuse destroys lives and affects your health,” he warned.
On political violence, Ddamulira said young people are often exploited by political actors who benefit while the foot soldiers face arrests and other consequences.
“Violence does not pay, especially for the foot soldiers. The ring leaders are usually the biggest beneficiaries. Their bank accounts are credited, they easily obtain visas, acquire properties abroad and secure bail when arrested. The foot soldiers are left to face prison or even lose their lives,” he said.
He also warned youth against being recruited into land disputes.
“No one should hire you to fight for someone’s land. That habit must stop,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation and Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Alhaji Faruk Kirunda announced that a comprehensive five-year rehabilitation plan for Busoga ghettos had been launched.
He said presidential funds provided to ghetto SACCOs had been used productively, with recovery of revolving funds already underway.
“For example, Namayingo District has already recovered Shs3 million, and the recovery process is continuing,” Kirunda said.
He directed the Busoga Ghetto Giant, Blessing Byakika, to work closely with security agencies to eliminate illegal and ungazetted ghetto depots.
“At the moment, we have 137 gazetted depots,” he said.
Kirunda added that organised youth groups that have properly utilised government support would receive additional assistance, including welding equipment, soap-making machines and other production tools.
He said government would also support roadside market vendors, meat and gonja roasters operating in gazetted locations, establish a music studio for talented youth and work with the Ministry of Works to create employment opportunities through road maintenance.
Namayingo Resident District Commissioner Eva Nalongo Kwesiga thanked President Museveni and other stakeholders for supporting the rehabilitation of ghetto youth.
“To the ghetto youth, do not betray the trust and support being extended to you. Remain reformed and become responsible citizens,” she said.
She noted that crime had reduced significantly in Namayingo after many youth abandoned criminal activities.
The NRM Chairperson for Busoga Sub-region, Haji Abubakar Walubi, also praised the programme, saying it had transformed the lives of many young people.
“There has been tremendous transformation among you, and we should never take it for granted,” Walubi said.
He commended Maj. Gen. Ddamulira, Maj. Emma Kutesa, Deputy National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Programme, and Alhaji Faruk Kirunda for promoting the initiative.
“You convinced the President that instead of fighting these young people, we should organise, sensitise and transform them into responsible citizens,” he said.
During the retreat, Busoga Ghetto Giant Blessing Byakika received a new motorcycle to support coordination activities across the sub-region.
The retreat was organised by the Office of the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force Directorate of Crime Intelligence.