RCC warns Luzira youth on drugs

By Juliet Waiswa & Agnes Nantambi

KAMPALA City Resident Commissioner (RCC) Aisha Kabanda has warned Luzira youth against engaging in drug use and abuse but rather to get involved in income generating activities in their communities.

Kabanda told the over 300 youths from Butabika, Luzira, and Kirombe that government has funds which they can access and start their own businesses rather than engaging in rebellious activities and riots.

She said that oftentimes youths are lured into activities like demonstrations and end up in prison at the expense of their families and the people who influence them will not follow them to ensure that they are set free.

The youth under their group Munnomukabi Luzira Youth Development Group said they have been left out and have not benefitted from government programs like the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Community Driven Development (CDD) Programs and that youth livelihood programs which are under Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

The youths also reported to Kabanda that there are many factories in Luzira but they have not been given the chance to benefit from the investors, they allege that investors employ people who reside outside the division.

“There are many factories belonging to local and foreign investors, but to our surprise all the people employed travel all the way from other divisions like Kawempe and Makindye, the Chairman Munnomukabi Luzira Youth Development Group, Lauben Kisawuzi said.

Kisawuzi decried that increasing cases of youth engaged in sports betting, drug addiction and gambling saying that some of the youth claim that they do not have jobs.

The youth also told Kabanda to engage KCCA so that they can be allowed to find spaces in the market were they can carry out their businesses.

“All our Kiosks have been brought down by KCCA and we do not have space to continue with our businesses. All we need is an open space where we can operate our businesses,” said one of the youth.

Others issues which were raised during the meeting were the increasing cases of Iron bar hit men who are using children aged between 13- 17 years to rob people’s property.

Anthony Buwande the chairman of youth council at KCCA informed the youth of the several programs at which include the CDD funds which can be accessed through youth groups, the Youth Livelihood program and the NAADS program.