Lately, there has been hullabaloo about the impact of the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) which is being overseen by the ministry of gender, labour and social development.
Many commentators have said the programme, which was allocated Shs 265 billion for a span of five years, has not impacted on the lives of the intended beneficiaries, the youths. Some have even called upon government to scrap the programme, saying it is a waste of taxpayers’ money.
It is true that just like any government programme, the YLP has faced several challenges. For instance, some of the youth groups that were advanced money have not been able to pay back in time like it had been envisaged.
There have also been reports of the funds being misused in some districts and of group leaders fleeing with the money. Yet, in my view, the benefits have outweighed the challenges.
I say this with evidence because I can give a personal testimony based on the experience of a family member. In 2014, my brother teamed up with a group of people and formed a savings organisation in Budaka district. They formally registered it, opened a bank account and applied for the YLP.
In 2015, after writing a proposal on a poultry project, they were given Shs 5 million. The beginning was not easy but, with time, they have managed to reap some benefits.
Besides having paid back the loan, all the members today have started small poultry farms from which they are assured of a regular source of income. Some of the members previously used to waste their time in sports betting.
The ministry has also been helpful by availing technical people to equip the group with skills and basic training in financial management, entrepreneurship, business development and life skills.
Although I cannot say that my brother or his friends have achieved total financial independence, they are at least in position to fend for themselves and their families. Previously, my brother would call me endlessly for financial assistance whenever he got any problem. Nowadays, he hardly calls me apart from when he is announcing the death of a relative or someone I know.
Similarly, testimonies abound in other parts of Uganda where the programme has empowered youths to take control of their lives. Therefore, I strongly oppose attempts to kill the programme simply because of some problems it has faced.
If your child errs, you do not kill them. You find ways of rectifying the problem. In order to improve the performance of the programme, I propose the following measures:
First, the programme should not be politicized. I have heard political leaders who say the money is supposed to benefit only youths who supported President Museveni. Some of these powerful local leaders have succeeded in lobbying for funds for only pro-NRM groups in their areas.
This is why some groups have intentionally defaulted on their repayment because they believe they were given the money as a “thank-you” for supporting President Museveni in the last election.
Second, the monitoring of the funds which are disbursed to the various groups should be strengthened. I know the ministry is already working with local governments and police but certain loopholes remain. Many local governments have weak structures while police personnel can be easily bribed to look away.
There should be regular performance reviews of the projects being funded under this programme. Ministry officials need to set clear benchmarks stipulating the expected minimum achievements of the projects.
Lastly, more public awareness and media mobilization is needed. The ministry already advertises in newspapers and on radio stations but the campaigns need to be intensified. Up to now, many youths are ignorant about how to access the money and what criterion is used to select the benefiting groups. This needs to be clarified.
The author is a concerned citizen.