By Andrew Irumba
Masindi: In the bid to fight poverty and unemployment in Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni has said government is considering introducing project centered SACCOs to support grass-root initiatives aimed at creating jobs and improving incomes for the rural poor.
“We have experimented this in Kasandha and realized that if we encouraged Wanaichi to join SACCOs that promote their interests, it would be easier for government to channel money in those respective SACCOs for easy access for them to boost their projects,” he said. President Museveni revealed that government has identified 13 projects including Boda Boda groups, Women Entrepreneurs, Carpentry, Salons, Taxi operators, Restaurants, Welders, Market vendors, Youth leaders, People with disabilities, Produce dealers, Mechanics and Tailors. He said the proposal has already been introduced to cabinet.
Museveni revealed this while addressing a public rally at Kyatiri Primary School grounds in Pakanyi sub-county, Buruli county in Masindi district yesterday. The President who is currently on a nation-wide tour to promote government programmes to create jobs and wealth through sustainable cost effective agro commercial projects, was speaking at a graduation ceremony of 884 students who had completed six months of comprehensive training in the fields of tailoring, hair dressing, catering among others.
“My message is to mobilise people to wake up and say no to poverty at household level so that it is embraced by everyone. I have come here today to confirm that the youths and others do appreciate my countrywide campaign against poverty eradication at household level in the country. With this spirit and vigour, let’s take off in all aspects of creating a source of income for everyone”, he said. He listened to the youth trainees from St Kizito Vocational and Friendship Centre in Masindi district who gave testimonies and revelations at a public rally that they can make money after being trained on skilling.
While addressing thousands of Wanainchi who turned up for the rally, President Museveni emphasized that the people on small land holdings should stick to simple but profitable and commercial agricultural enterprises based on a four acre plan following the government guidance initiated in 1997 including coffee, fruits, food crops to sustain the family, poultry, piggery, Mushrooms, fish ponds that do not require a big piece of land etc. “This is to ensure that everyone is engaged in the war against poverty. We should not have spectators in this struggle, he said. He however, added that those on big pieces of land in Masindi district and other areas can grow maize, tobacco, or even cattle keeping on a large.
