Blog

A massive recovery crisis has engulfed the government’s youth and women empowerment funds, with billions of shillings remaining unpaid and Parliament questioning whether the programmes are still viable or have turned into expensive money-chasing schemes.

The latest revelations show that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development had receivables worth Sh252.49 billion as at June 30, 2025, up from Sh241.93 billion the previous year.

The Auditor General attributed the increase to additional loans advanced to women and youth groups, but the recovery figures paint a grim picture of the government’s revolving-fund model.

Under the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), Sh169.414 billion was due for recovery, but only Sh41.745 billion — about 25 percent — had been recovered, leaving a staggering Sh127.669 billion outstanding.

The Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) performed better, but still left a huge hole. Of the Sh67.619 billion due, only Sh41.024 billion, representing about 60 percent, had been recovered, leaving Sh26.595 billion outstanding.

Together, the two programmes had more than Sh154 billion still out in the hands of beneficiaries.

The Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) is nationally coordinated by Winfred Masiko, who serves as the National Programme Coordinator under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD).

The Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) is nationally coordinated by Paul Onapa, who serves as the National Programme Manager under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD).

The revelations triggered sharp questioning by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, which demanded to know whether government was still getting value from programmes that continue to require money for monitoring and recovery while large amounts remain unpaid.

Wakiso Woman MP Betty Ethel Naluyima challenged officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to explain whether YLP and UWEP were still economically viable and delivering the intended impact.

The MPs were particularly concerned about the cost of pursuing beneficiaries compared to the money actually being recovered.

The committee was told that approximately Sh25.5 billion was released for the joint YLP and UWEP programme during the 2024/25 financial year, while recoveries during the period stood at only about Sh3 billion.

This raised the uncomfortable question of whether government is spending more money chasing its own money than it is recovering.

Permanent Secretary Aggrey David Kibenge admitted that YLP had suffered serious recovery challenges, with the programme recovering only about a quarter of the money disbursed.

He explained that the programme’s fortunes took a dramatic turn after government redirected resources towards the establishment of 19 youth skilling centres.

YLP’s final major funding allocation stood at about Sh39 billion, but its budget was subsequently slashed to approximately Sh3 billion.

That effectively removed about Sh36 billion that had previously supported the programme and its operations, including beneficiary follow-up and monitoring.

According to Kibenge, the budget cuts coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, making it even harder for officials to trace beneficiaries and collect the money.

The little money that remained was largely absorbed by salaries and maintenance of the programme management unit at the ministry headquarters, leaving local government officials with limited resources to chase beneficiaries.

The ministry also blamed the nature of youth groups for the poor recovery.

Some beneficiaries reportedly moved away from their original communities, while others abandoned groups after receiving government money.

Some Chief Administrative Officers have since recommended that government consider writing off the unrecovered YLP funds.

But PAC Chairperson Patrick Oshabe Nsamba pushed back hard against the proposal, warning that a write-off could create a dangerous precedent for future government revolving funds.

Nsamba said some beneficiaries appeared to have treated government loans as political donations rather than money that was supposed to be repaid and revolved to other groups.

He questioned why taxpayers should continue funding recovery operations if the eventual collections remain small.

The ministry’s National Programme Coordinator for YLP/UWEP, Winfred Masiko, told MPs that under the programme guidelines, 80 percent of the money goes directly to beneficiary groups, while the remaining 20 percent is meant to support monitoring, verification, technical support, training and recovery by local and central governments.

The programmes currently operate through 177 local government units, including Kampala Capital City Authority.

But Masiko said inadequate operational funding had made recovery difficult.

She said the ministry currently sends about Sh400 million every quarter to local governments to support follow-up activities.

The ministry estimates that approximately Sh330 billion remains outstanding from previous beneficiaries and wants Parliament to increase funding specifically for recovery.

Masiko proposed that at least 10 percent of the outstanding money be provided to finance recovery efforts, arguing that financial institutions routinely spend heavily to recover debts.

That proposal, however, immediately raised eyebrows among MPs.

Mbale City Industrial Division MP Masaba Karim warned that government could end up spending more on chasing debts than the money it eventually recovers.

He argued that many MPs who interact directly with communities already know that some beneficiaries are unlikely to repay the money.

Kioga North MP Geoffrey Ochen also challenged claims that local governments are adequately facilitated to recover the funds.

Drawing from his experience as a former district leader, Ochen said community development officers were often facilitated merely to prepare beneficiary files rather than conduct serious recovery operations.

The Auditor General’s findings further deepen the accountability concerns.

Apart from the massive outstanding loans, the audit found that Sh826.63 million in YLP and UWEP recoveries held at the Bank of Uganda as at June 30, 2025 could not be tagged to any local government or individual beneficiary group.

In other words, even money already recovered could not properly be traced to its source.

The audit also found that domestic arrears at the ministry had ballooned by 176 percent, rising from Sh7.46 billion to Sh20.58 billion, increasing the risk of litigation.

The ministry’s overall strategic funding crisis is equally alarming.

Of the Sh12.571 trillion estimated to implement its 2020/21–2024/25 Strategic Plan, only Sh1.234 trillion was actually provided, leaving a funding gap of approximately Sh11.32 trillion — or 90.05 percent.

The result was widespread partial implementation of planned outputs.

The Auditor General found that out of 20 sampled outputs worth Sh220.4 billion, only two outputs worth Sh7.239 billion were fully implemented, while 16 outputs worth Sh212.592 billion were only partially implemented. Two other outputs worth Sh569 million could not be assessed because of missing performance targets and indicators.

Against this background, MPs are now demanding a complete assessment of the YLP/UWEP recovery model before government pours more money into the programmes.

They want the ministry to establish exactly how much is being spent on recovery, how much is being recovered and whether the exercise makes economic sense.

The committee also questioned how government expects to enforce repayment when most of the funds were advanced without conventional collateral.

The controversy comes as government continues to roll out the Parish Development Model, which was partly designed to consolidate and streamline interventions aimed at increasing household incomes.

Kibenge told the committee that government had previously considered collapsing YLP and UWEP into the Parish Development Model.

Cabinet, however, allowed some funds to remain under the two programmes to facilitate recovery and replenish revolving funds for local governments that perform well.

Since 2022/23, YLP and UWEP have therefore been managed under a joint programme management arrangement.

But with more than Sh154 billion in YLP and UWEP loans officially outstanding, and the ministry estimating that total outstanding obligations from previous beneficiaries could be as high as Sh330 billion, Parliament now faces a difficult choice.

Government can either spend more money chasing the unpaid funds, write off some of the debts, or overhaul the entire revolving-fund model.

For the PAC, however, simply writing off the money is not an option.

MPs warned that treating public loans as political gifts would destroy the revolving nature of the programmes and send a dangerous message to future beneficiaries: take the money today and wait for government to forgive the debt tomorrow.

The committee has consequently demanded clearer accountability for every shilling released for recovery, tighter tracking of beneficiaries and a cost-benefit analysis showing whether additional recovery spending can actually deliver more money to the public purse.

Until then, the question hanging over the Gender Ministry’s flagship youth and women programmes is blunt: is government running a revolving fund — or an expensive system for losing and chasing public money?

---

GOT A HOT STORY? LET US KNOW!

Got breaking news, explosive secrets, or hard evidence?

Email us: redpeppertips@gmail.com

We accept tips, documents, videos, photos, and recordings—the more evidence you have, the better.

CONFIDENTIALITY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. SOURCES ARE ALWAYS PROTECTED!

About Post Author

By Denis Jjuuko

The new British prime minister (yes, there is a new one) has been ubiquitous trying to sell his vision and probably avoid the missteps of his predecessors. In one of the videos he shared on his social media handles, he is seen at a factory that makes trains. He says, artificial intelligence or AI won’t build them. He said AI can write a contract but it won’t make a train like the factory he was visiting or even fix your leaking roof.

Andy Burnham is probably the first political leader of a developed economy to say that on camera. His vision is of seeing technical practical jobs being created alongside digital ones. He also acknowledges the limitations of digital innovation. He called for a reboot of his country’s education system. Desktop jobs may be replaced by AI but the practical ones will still exist.

As Andy Burnham was sharing the video, the Uganda Airlines acting Chief Executive, veteran Ethiopian aviation expert Girma Wake was holding a presser at his Nakasero office in Kampala. Wake was once the top guy at Ethiopian Airlines, well known for its efficiency, safety and profitability — an exception on the continent. His video interview, in less than five minutes, was confidence building. He offered his vision, underlying briefly what is required to ensure the crane continues to soar as high as it is expected. I think it is going to be a long journey but it seems basics are now in place.

One of the things he mentioned was the cost of employment. When Uganda Airlines was collapsed in 2001, Ugandans who had aviation experience moved on. Young people saw no reason to enroll for aviation courses. Those who wanted to pursue certain careers in aviation largely had to finance their education and training outside the country. That is usually very expensive.

Today, Wake told his audience, he relies on foreign staff to operate especially the aircraft on wet leases. He says that is very expensive. He needs Ugandans in those jobs. They are affordable and due to family ties and other reasons are more likely to remain with the airline for the long haul.

Aviation employs many people. With Uganda Airlines expecting to receive its delivery of eight aircraft from Boeing in early 2030s, many people who go to aviation schools today will perhaps have gained some experience by that time. A simple google search shows that one B737 aircraft needs 10-15 pilots to operate and many others in other jobs in operations and maintenance. Broadly, it may need as many as 80 people for optimum operations.

The national carrier’s executive also talked about reviving the flying school in Soroti. I think that now we have a firm order with Boeing, this is even more urgent. So that by the time the aircraft are delivered, there would be Ugandans to operate and maintain them. And AI will not solely operate and maintain the aircraft. It won’t cook the rolex or katogo Uganda Airlines may want to serve on the flight. Though those with the right AI skills will have a bigger chance of landing a job.

But it isn’t just aviation where AI, like the British Premier said, would be limited. We are constructing the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and even reviving some meter gauge ones. Are we training people to operate and maintain the line, trains or even build them? Or we will rely on experts once the SGR is built like we are doing with a simple job of managing toll gates on the Entebbe Expressway?

We are still very much a small economy that will for a long time depend on the practical physical skills of its people. Skilling in technical practical jobs is still important for the majority of people.

The automotive industry is experiencing changes as people move to electric and more advanced vehicles. Do we have repair shops that are competent to repair and maintain them? I see an increment in electric and newer model vehicles on the road every day. The garages or workshops are improving too — moving their operations from under the mango tree to somewhat fancy buildings. But are we training people in the numbers we need to do the job?

And if Britain is going back to the basics during this era of AI, what about us? To achieve our US$500b economy goal will depend a lot on many of our young people having the skills they need to find jobs with predictable regular income.

The writer is a communication and visibility consultant. [email protected]

Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article

This piece is a continuation of my earlier work, published on October 10, 2025 in Watchdog, titled “Unless the cheap sale of Karamoja’s sorghum stops, hunger and misery will never end.”

That publication was grounded in Simon Levine’s (2010) study, which posed the central question: “What to do about Karamoja?” Levine, in his food security analysis, observed that local communities often capitalize on good harvests by selling sorghum cheaply to earn immediate household income.

However, from the Department for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis at the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition, we argue that during periods of bumper sorghum harvests, commercial sales must be regulated by local authorities across the sub-region.

Critics may argue that sorghum is a primary source of income for the Karamojong, asking why anyone would advocate for limiting people’s ability to sell their own produce. Yet, field evidence consistently shows that during good harvests, sorghum is sold at such drastically low prices that local authorities seem unconcerned about the long-term implications for household reserves. As Dr. Damalie Akwango noted in her 2017 doctoral research, Karamoja has faced chronic food insecurity since 1964, remaining heavily reliant on external relief aid.

If concrete policy action is not taken now, one must ask: Is Karamoja destined to depend on humanitarian aid indefinitely?

To build true climate resilience, local action must be taken to regulate sorghum sales so that families retain adequate grain stocks. The precarious situation where a minor weather shift instantly plunges communities back into aid dependence must be addressed to protect vulnerable households.

Put simply, the solutions to Karamoja’s systemic challenges must come from within Karamoja and be shaped by the people of Karamoja. The goal is not to deny communities income opportunities, but to safeguard household food security during times of abundance. Local authorities must strike a deliberate balance between immediate cash needs and the long-term necessity of preventing hunger, vulnerability, and misery. This is precisely where local governance matters most.

Dr. Ayub Mukisa writes for the Department for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis at the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition (KACC).

 

Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article

Police have arrested 94 suspects during a series of overnight operations targeting criminal activities and suspected gangs in the Kampala Metropolitan Area.

The operations were conducted on 19 August 2026 between midnight and 05:00am in several areas identified as crime hotspots.

In Mukono, Police carried out operations in Kamwanyi, Ham Mukasa, Kasokosi, Lwanda, Namanve and surrounding areas, arresting 22 suspects.

In the Nagalama area, 21 suspects were arrested during operations conducted in Kalagi, Katonga Ghetto, Kakoola and neighbouring areas.

Police in Kira Road Division also arrested 13 suspects in operations carried out in Kisaasi, Dungu Zone, Kikulu Zone and surrounding areas.

The highest number of arrests was recorded in Kabalagala, where targeted operations resulted in 38 suspects being taken into custody.

Police also recovered several exhibits during the operations, including suspected narcotic substances and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala said the operations would continue as part of efforts to prevent crime and protect communities.

“We will continue to sustain intelligence-led, targeted and disruptive operations in identified crime-prone areas across the Kampala Metropolitan Area, with the aim of making communities safer and protecting the public and their property,” Kawala said.

Police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious people or activities to the nearest Police station.

Related

Breaking through as an artist in Uganda is a battlefield. Some artists spend years in a studio waiting for a break. Others drop one viral track, get three months of fame, then disappear. Vinka took neither road. She arrived with a massive debut and never slowed down. That kind of staying power is rare in Kampala’s music scene. It’s also exactly the spirit Bell Lager built its 75-year story on. Two Ugandan originals who are a part of Uganda’s Very Own story.

Since her first release, Vinka has delivered one hit after another. Malaika. Chips Na Ketchup. Bailando. All Over You. Her voice carries a signature power and her stage presence is impossible to ignore. She built a space in the industry that belongs entirely to her. Bell Lager has been there through most of it, cold glass in hand at every celebration.

Long before her face was on billboards across Kampala, Vinka worked behind the scenes as a talent manager at Swangz Avenue. The agency was looking to sign a new female artist. During a recent casual studio conversation on the Ugandan Boy podcast, Vinka revealed how someone once turned to her and asked the question that changed everything.

Why not you?

“The desire was always there,” Vinka recalls. “I was a top performer in high school. But stepping out from talent management meant putting myself on the line. On stage, every choice becomes personal.”

The leap was as bold as it sounds. Her early tracks got people arguing rather than cheering. Critics called her voice raspy and heavy. Some said she ‘sounded like a man.’

Vinka didn’t shrink from it. She leaned in. “I turned their harshness into curiosity,” she says. “People were talking because I sounded different. I decided I was never going to change my tone to make anyone comfortable. Staying true to my sound is what set me apart.” That refusal to compromise became her edge, and it’s the same self-belief that carried her from those early arguments into a career built to last.

A lasting career in Uganda takes more than hit singles. It takes an instinct for how Ugandans actually unwind, and that’s where Vinka’s story and Bell’s meet.

Bell Lager just marked 75 years as part of everyday Ugandan life. Its Uganda’s Very Own campaign spotlights people who stay true to where they come from and build something lasting from it. Vinka fits that description as naturally as anyone. She’s Uganda’s very own artist. Bell is Uganda’s very own beer. Put the two together and the fit needs no explaining.

Ugandan celebration shows up everywhere. Weekend plot sessions. Roadside meat spots. A neighbouring kafunda. Wedding receptions. Packed nightclubs. For Vinka, partnering with a brand that has sat on Ugandan tables across generations felt less like a business deal and more like coming home.

The connection showed up clearly when Vinka and Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) worked on ‘Red Card’. The track was meant as a drunk-driving campaign. Vinka turned it into a club hit instead. Ugandans were dancing to it in packed venues before they even realised the message underneath. It worked because it never felt like a lecture, it felt like an authentic Ugandan track for an authentic Ugandan night. Real culture first, message second.

Vinka’s own transformation runs on the same logic. Moving from managing talent to standing alone in front of tens of thousands of people changes how you see everything. “Working behind the scenes taught me the work ethic to build a career,” she says. “Becoming the artist taught me courage. It taught me to trust my own instincts when everyone else doubted me.”

That evolution, from the girl behind the glass to the woman commanding the stage, now leads to her biggest milestone yet: The Live & Loud Concert as she headlines Lugogo Cricket Oval this August. Lugogo is the ultimate test for any Ugandan act. For Vinka, filling that arena is proof of a decade spent trusting her own voice. Her advice to young creators trying to break through in Kampala stays true to that same philosophy. “You have to believe in your purpose before anyone else validates it. Respect the craft and stay disciplined every day,” she concluded.

Related

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady, Maama Janet Museveni, today received international evangelist Bishop Dr. LaDonna C. Osborn at State House Entebbe, where they reflected on Uganda’s transformation, faith, leadership and the longstanding spiritual ties between the Osborn family and Uganda.

Dr. Osborn is in Uganda at the invitation of Pastor Patience Rwabwogo ahead of her consecration as an Episcopal Bishop on August 23, 2026. The consecration ceremony will also coincide with the 20th anniversary celebrations of Covenant Nations Church.

During the meeting, Dr. Osborn described herself as a friend of Uganda and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to return to the country, where her family has maintained longstanding ties through Christian ministry.

She recalled her first visit to Uganda in 1985, when she came with her late mother and spent several weeks preparing for a major evangelistic crusade at Lugogo.

Dr. Osborn reflected on the difficult circumstances she witnessed at the time, recalling the effects of years of conflict, insecurity and destruction. She said Kampala had poor infrastructure, while many communities were struggling after years of instability.

Looking at Uganda today, she commended the transformation the country has undergone over the past four decades, particularly in the areas of peace, education, health, and freedom of worship and expression.

Dr. Osborn acknowledged that leadership comes with difficult decisions and challenges, noting that people involved in important work will inevitably encounter opposition.

She also spoke about Pastor Patience, whom she described as a woman with a strong relationship with God and a deep commitment to her ministry.

Encouraging Pastor Patience to remain focused despite opposition, Dr. Osborn drew from the biblical story of Nehemiah, who faced opposition while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

She quoted Nehemiah’s response to those seeking to distract him from his work:

“I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.”

Dr. Osborn said the message was relevant to both spiritual and secular leadership, emphasising the importance of remaining committed to a worthy mission despite criticism and opposition.

She also recalled her family’s early ministry in Uganda, saying she and her mother worked closely with local pastors and churches while preparing for the Lugogo crusade. She fondly remembered several Ugandan church leaders whom she encountered during that period and who have since played prominent roles in the country’s Christian community.

On her part, Maama Janet warmly recalled the visit of Dr. Osborn’s late mother to Uganda, describing it as a precious and memorable spiritual experience for their family.

She recalled that Dr. Osborn’s mother came to pray with the family and gave each of their children their first Bible, together with one of her books.

The First Lady said the book contained a message encouraging people to seek God, which had a profound personal impact on her.

“Your mother came to Uganda and came to pray with us. It was precious. She gave each of our children their first Bible and one of her books. At the back there was a message where she said, ‘If you want to meet God, repeat these words after me.’ I did, and it has never been the same since then,” Maama Janet recalled.

She said the memories of Dr. Osborn’s mother remain deeply cherished by the family and emphasised the special bond that exists between the Osborn family and Uganda.

“There is so much remembrance of your mother. Your mother and yourself mean a lot to us,” she said.

The First Lady also expressed gratitude for Pastor Patience’s forthcoming consecration, commending her strong relationship with God.

“Pastor Patience has a strong relationship with God. When we see Pastor Patience going to be consecrated a Bishop, we cannot thank God enough,” Maama Janet said.

The meeting provided an opportunity to celebrate the longstanding relationship between the Osborn family and Uganda, reflect on the country’s transformation over the past four decades, and reaffirm the enduring role of faith, service and leadership in building communities.

Dr. Osborn is expected to participate in a series of Christian activities ahead of the August 23 consecration ceremony at Covenant Nations Church in Luzira, which will also mark the church’s 20th anniversary.

The meeting was also attended by Pastor Patience Rwabwogo.

 

Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article

Google is giving eligible students a free year of its premium Gemini AI service.

The offer gives college students access to Google’s more advanced AI tools for studying, research and schoolwork without paying the usual subscription fee.

Students in the US can get Google AI Pro for one year, while eligible students in other countries can receive Google AI Plus.

Google is also adding study features to Gemini, including tools that can turn class materials into flashcards, quizzes and study guides.

The company says students can use the tools to understand difficult subjects and prepare for exams.

The offer comes as AI becomes increasingly popular among students who use it for research, studying and organising their work.

Eligible students can claim the free year through Google’s Gemini student programme.