Ghetto structure vision is a crown jewel

The ghetto structure vision has changed and transformed many ghetto youths to employment, responsible citizens, reduced drug abuse, less prostitution, patriotism, changed mindsets, better hygiene of body and living, law-abiding, constructive in their communities, positive outlook, etc.  

Ghetto structure vision is a crown jewel
By Admin .
Journalists @New Vision
#Ghetto #Museveni #Kampala

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OPINION

By Patrick Mugisa

The Ghetto Structure is a holistic government programme aimed at improving the lives of all ghetto dwellers, particularly the youth. This concept was conceived and initiated by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda.

Due to the unique attributes and nature of ghetto communities, the President appointed and delegated senior military officers—Gen. Damulira and Maj. Kutesa—to supervise operations with an appropriate level of caution, bearing in mind that the program is clothed in civilian outfits. The overall chairman of ghettos in Uganda is Mr Kalyango Shafiq.

The Ghetto Structure Vision/Policy in Uganda is not a paramilitary or political organisation, contrary to some public speculation. The main pillars of the Ghetto Structure are: increasing incomes, promoting mindset change, enhancing security, encouraging patriotism, saving, fighting crime, combating drug abuse, and enabling the transformation of lives in ghettos on a holistic and sustainable basis.

The government promotes ghetto structures by facilitating and encouraging the formation of savings groups and SACCOs to enable access to affordable financing. These initiatives are targeted at economically empowering vulnerable and less privileged ghetto communities by countering the complex and restrictive requirements of conventional commercial banks.

Commercial banks often prioritise profits and increases in shareholders’ value over social good and impact. Most banks operate like high street loan sharks due to hidden costs and uncontainable interest rates ranging from 16% to 27% per annum. These costs, compounded by additional charges such as insurance, legal fees, valuation, and red tape, make borrowing unattainable for ghetto communities.

The term “ghetto” originated in Venice, Italy, in 1516, where Jews were forced to live in segregated quarters. In modern usage, ghettos are typically marginalised urban communities. While ghettos are socially and economically better off than slums, they still face immense poverty.

"Poverty is not a mere lack of income & money, but insecurity of person, & property It also includes, insecurity, low self-esteem of persons, ignorance, malnutrition, high crime rates, drug abuse, poor health, prevalent sicknesses, limited access to government support, high infant mortality rate, illiteracy, poor infrastructures like, roads, schools, hospitals, electricity, drainage systems and other uncertainties. Poverty in ghettos is dangerous, it’s an economic vicious cycle of poverty, it’s an invisible weevil that obliterates society in peace meals.

From a bird’s eye view, several ghettos in Kampala span a wide area mainly at the peripheries of Kampala’s central business district, though many are becoming extinct due to the growth, development and expansion of the city.

It's rumoured that various ghetto SACCOs in the Kampala metropolitan area have received substantial start-up capital from the Government of Uganda, specifically from the fountain of honour, the President, amounting to over sh1.2 billion. A significant portion of this has been disbursed to ghetto youth within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, with promises of more government support in the current financial year.

The ghetto structure vision has changed and transformed many ghetto youths to employment, responsible citizens, reduced drug abuse, less prostitution, patriotism, changed mindsets, better hygiene of body and living, law-abiding, constructive in their communities, positive outlook, etc.  

These efforts should not be overlooked. Neglecting ghetto communities only fuels a cycle that may eventually return to threaten society.  Let’s not unintentionally foster a society that may one day come to terrorise us. Investing in ghettos is a preventive measure, not just a rehabilitative one.

We must approach life as a continuous journey of learning and overcoming challenges. The ghetto structure represents resilience through trials and triumphs. It embodies a shared vision of transformation and hope.

The ghetto structure is a commendable visionary programme by the President, under the able supervision of Gen. Damulira and Maj. Kutesa. It should not be undermined or misinterpreted as a paramilitary outfit or a recruitment base for crime or terrorism.

Marginalising ghetto youth is akin to sleeping on an active volcano. As Chinua Achebe said, in his “things fall apart” The youth are young suckers when the old bananas die. Meaning youth are the future of the nation.

Let's fight doubts against the ghetto community. Ghettos are not a recent creation; they've existed since time immemorial, and the citizens in the ghettos should be refined to model individuals who will serve this nation better. We highly commend His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni’s fatherly compassion for the ghetto plight, which had been neglected by previous regimes and local authorities. People in the ghetto are our brothers and sisters who shouldn’t be stereotyped but instead helped to become better people.

Security is one of Uganda’s biggest selling points for tourists and visitors, as evidenced by consistent positive feedback from platforms like Airbnb. Uganda is increasingly seen as a lively and welcoming destination, but this economic potential must be backed by inclusive development. Genuine wealth is not just financial but also reflected in how we live and treat each other—including our ghetto communities.

We must avoid being passive or judgmental, like the metaphorical maize cob weevil that silently destroys from within. Instead, we should be proactive and inclusive in our national development. Neglecting insecurity—especially among marginalised groups—is a costly mistake.

The proverb “Rome was not built in one day” reminds us that development is gradual. The efforts by Gen. Damulira and Maj. Kutesa deserves recognition.

Before these reforms, ghettos were viewed as no-go zones—lawless places feared even by the police. Today, thanks to structured engagement, many former outcasts are now integrated into society.

The ghetto structure vision also serves as a rich data hub, providing statistics, locations, and lifestyle information about all ghettos in Uganda. These insights are critical to policy planning. Unfortunately, the tragedy lies in how little we understand the real dynamics of ghettos despite how familiar they seem on screen or in conversation.

Let us not shy away from uncomfortable truths. If not properly addressed, ghetto insecurity can escalate into a national crisis. However, with vision, investment, and inclusive policy, ghettos can become pillars of Uganda’s social and economic transformation.

Security is the fulcrum & nerve centre of a country; other factors of production & sectors of the economy cannot effectively function without it. Besides, insecurity & crime have no distinction of race, tribe, religion, age, colour, etc.

The writer is a businessman