NEBBI — Youth activists in Greater Nebbi have launched a campaign aimed at encouraging young people to abandon what they describe as a poverty mindset and embrace income-generating ventures to achieve financial independence.
The mobilization drive, launched on June 21, 2026, in Nebbi Municipality, is being spearheaded by the Greater Nebbi Youth Development Forum and targets more than 10,000 unemployed youth across Nebbi, Zombo and Pakwach districts.
Organizers say entrepreneurship and collective investment, rather than dependence on handouts, offer the fastest route to economic transformation.
Emilio Odongo, the lead activist behind the initiative, told about 50 young people attending the inception meeting that waiting for government employment opportunities had left many families trapped in poverty.
“If we keep depending on handouts, poverty will keep depending on us,” Odongo said.
“But if you start small today, wealth will start growing tomorrow.”
Odongo said the forum was established with four key objectives: funding youth business ideas, creating employment opportunities, running an incubation programme and attracting government support for viable youth-led enterprises.
He explained that the initiative is targeting young people aged between 18 and 45 years and aims to recruit at least 243 members from each of the 41 lower local governments across Greater Nebbi.
“We are targeting at least 243 members from every lower local government who will take the lead in transforming their communities,” Odongo said.
“We have asked participants to submit their dream projects. Many mentioned poultry farming, piggery, knitting, hairdressing and pastry businesses, which is a good start.”
According to Odongo, the campaign seeks to raise Shs1 billion through membership registration fees contributed by youth across the region. The money will be pooled into a revolving fund to support members' business ventures.
“We are not asking for donations,” he said. “Every youth who registers will own a share. This money will fund your dreams, not ours.”
Muber Brenda, President of the Greater Nebbi University Students Association (GNUSDA), said the initiative offers hope to students preparing to enter the job market.
She noted that many graduates complete their studies with academic qualifications but lack the capital required to start businesses.
“This Shs1 billion fund means we can start small while still in school,” Brenda said. “We do not have to wait for jobs that may never come.”
However, organizers acknowledged that the campaign faces significant challenges, particularly due to past failures of government-funded youth programmes.
Many youth groups formed under initiatives such as the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF), the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga reportedly collapsed after receiving funds, often due to poor management and lack of accountability.
“We failed before because the money was not seen as our own,” Odongo said. “This Shs1 billion will be owned by the youth who contribute to it.”
Nebbi Resident District Commissioner Robert Abak, who attended the meeting, said many government programmes had struggled because beneficiaries lacked organization and long-term commitment.
He cited cases where youth groups dissolved shortly after receiving government support.
“A group of tailors at Nebbi Market received Shs30 million through Emyooga, but the group split almost immediately,” Abak said. “The shop closed and many of the members disappeared.”
“The money is there, but the mindset and organization are not,” he added. “If this Shs1 billion campaign teaches discipline and ownership, then it will succeed where others failed.”
Odongo emphasized that the success of the initiative would depend on commitment and accountability among members.
“We want discipline, not donors,” he said. “This Shs1 billion belongs to members who show commitment, not those chasing free money.”
Organisers expressed optimism that the campaign could become a model for youth-led economic empowerment in the region if participants remain focused on entrepreneurship, savings and collective responsibility.
The initiative now faces the task of translating its ambitious vision into sustainable enterprises capable of creating jobs and improving livelihoods across Greater Nebbi.
