Minister Balaam grills Kibaale leaders on govt youth funds

KABAALE - Youth and children affairs state minister Balaam Barugahara has asked Kibaale district leaders to account for youth livelihood and Emyooga funds disbursed to the beneficiaries.

During an impromptu meeting convened at Kibaale district headquarters on Monday, September 29, 2025, Barugahara grilled Kibaale district chief administrative officer John Katontoroma, youth livelihood focal person Godfrey Byendaimira, commercial officer/Emyooga focal person Leonard Semata and principal Agriculture officer Hassan Matovu, who doubles as PDM focal person.

"We shall not hesitate to cause the arrest of any officer or beneficiary of government funds like Emyooga, Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, Youth Livelihood Fund (YLF) and Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) funds. 

You should report cases of extortion and misuse because President Museveni clarified that government funds are not free but revolving funds to benefit many groups.

Barugahara noted with concern that some youth who got funding in 2014/15 from Youth livelihood should immediately pay back for others to benefit, being a revolving fund.

"I am reliably informed that there is extortion of money from beneficiaries of PDM funds and acquisition of national identity cards. I have also been told that some Police officers and traffic officers are cheating people. I’m directing Kibaale Resident District Commissioner and the district Police commander to investigate this issue," he said.

He further noted that some youth used government funds to marry and buy luxurious goods. I direct the commercial officer, district focal person PDM, to ensure full recovery of the funds," Barugahara said.

Finance minister Matia Kasaija, who spoke as a chief guest during the youth baraza codenamed Wake up Youth Mobilisation tour, organised by Barugahara appealed to residents and leaders to foster government programmes geared towards sustainable household income.

Kibaale district youth chairperson Mwesige Atasingurwa accused district leaders of neglecting youth activities and programmes.

He claimed that the youth have not benefited from 30% of the PDM funds because of unfavourable conditions for accessing the funds.

 Jane Namugabi, 30, a resident of Karuguuza, said after getting shillings one million from the PDM programme in 2023, she invested the money in poultry rearing, piggery and goat rearing, where she earns at least shillings 20 million per year.

"This is from 350 birds, 10 pigs, and five goats. I have invested my profits in the project by buying materials needed for my project, like CCTV cameras and a night watchman. I need support from President Museveni and Kibaale leaders to expand my project, said.

Kibaale district PDM focal person Hassan Matovu, while responding to youth concerns, said shilling 17.5 billion was received in the last financial year and 99% of the funds have been disbursed to 17,552 members, including people with disabilities in 57 parishes.

He, however, named few challenges of fund diversion, low parish revolving funding, and poor saving culture by beneficiaries.

Moses Kitamirike, the Kibaale district police commander, while responding to issues raised by the people who accused Police and traffic officers of bribery and extortion, promised to follow up on the matter and advised the locals to report the culprits for disciplinary action.