Wealth creation: Kampala youth urged on realistic, relevant projects

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Young people in Kampala Ecclesiastical Province have been urged to come up with realistic and relevant projects that can help them create wealth and improve their living standards. 

They have been discouraged against foreign aid dependency, which, according to Caritas Uganda national director, Fr Hillary Muheezangango, have led to the economic enslavement of many Africans and stifled their creative potential.

“Brethren, don’t look for money abroad. Money is right here with us. Unfortunately, we don’t know how to tap it. We also spend it irresponsibly when we get it. Yes, you, the young people spend too much money on things like birthday parties, baby showers, etc. You need to get serious with your life. Identify your financial goals and devise appropriate strategies that will help you to achieve them. Write clear projects that can easily be funded. Projects that are inclined to environmental conservation attract funding more easily,” Muheezangango said.

He was addressing the Annual General Meeting of the youth leaders of Kampala Ecclesiastical Province at Youth Encounter the Saviour (YES) Centre, Nsambya, in Makindye Division early this month. Kampala Ecclesiastical Province covers the Catholic dioceses in the central region of Uganda, including Kampala Archdiocese, Masaka Diocese, Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, Lugazi Diocese and Kasana-Luweero Diocese.

Local strategies

Muheezangango advised the Kampala Ecclesiastical Province youth leaders to come up with local fundraising strategies as a solution to the uncertainties of foreign aid, which he said is hard to get these days. He also encouraged them to identify and attract strategic partners both on the local and international levels. He nonetheless put it to them to exercise maximum the principles of trust, transparency and accountability to win the trust of the development partners.

The manager, youth and women programmes at Centenary Bank, Prossy Namubiru, encouraged young people to take advantage of the various economic empowerment programs that the bank put in place for youth and women to fund their communal projects and improve their well-being.

The provincial youth gathering was also addressed by the National Youth Chaplain (based at Uganda Catholic Secretariat Nsambya), Rev. Fr Benedict Mugerwa, the Kampala Archdiocesan Director of Youth and Children Apostolate, Fr Dr Joseph Mary Ssebunnya and the Chairman of Kampala Ecclesiastical Youth Association, Mr Emmanuel Sserwadda.

As one of the activities of the day, youth representatives from the respective dioceses showcased their projects.

The convention ran under the theme: Consolidating Our Achievements, Commitment to Progress, Creating New Opportunities.