Uganda's Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has commended a reformed youth group in Buwenge Town Council for transitioning from political violence to productive enterprise. The group, DAFAT & NIMO Youth Development Group and Catering Services, was previously notorious for perpetrating violence in Jinja. Minister Babalanda made the remarks while officiating a fundraising ceremony for the group in Jinja District. She described the group as a model of mindset change and self-reliance.
According to Minister Babalanda, the group was involved in a tragic shooting incident in Buwenge during the LC1 elections that claimed two lives. She had previously engaged with the youths and counselled them to reform and adopt a more constructive path. The Minister expressed satisfaction that the youths heeded her guidance and formed a community-driven development initiative focused on catering and other services. This initiative aims to provide the people of Jinja with a means of earning a decent living.
Minister Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, and other officials. She commended the Jinja District leadership for prioritizing youth empowerment, noting that youths are not only future leaders but also partners in development today. The Minister emphasized that the group's initiative demonstrates patriotism and responsibility, as it responds to President Museveni's call for hard work as a pathway out of household poverty.
The Minister urged the broader youth to focus on vocational and practical skills, stressing that wealth creation and formal academic qualifications are not synonymous. She encouraged youths to take advantage of government wealth-creation programs, including the Youth Livelihood Program, Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and the Four-Acre Model. Minister Babalanda also cautioned youths against drug and substance abuse, emphasizing that responsible citizenship and national service require sobriety, discipline, and focus.
Minister Babalanda called on women to work hard and not wait for support from men, saying that economically empowered women can transform families, communities, and the national economy. She appealed to parents to prioritize their children's education over sending them to work in sugarcane plantations. As a gesture of support, the Minister contributed Shs 5 million to the DAFAT & NIMO Youth Development Group and Catering Services to boost their development initiative.
The fundraising ceremony brought together various officials, including the Jinja District Woman MP, Hon. Tibyaze Peace, RPC, RDC, DRDC, ARDCs, area leaders, and well-wishers. Minister Babalanda urged district leaders to maintain a cordial working relationship with security agencies and put aside differences that emerged during the general elections. This, she said, is in the interest of unity and development.
The reformed youth group's initiative has been recognized as a model for mindset change and self-reliance. Minister Babalanda's commendation of the group highlights the government's efforts to empower youths and promote productive enterprise. The event demonstrated the collaboration between government officials, community leaders, and youths to promote development and address social issues in Jinja District.
Key points
- Minister Babalanda commends DAFAT & NIMO Youth Development Group for abandoning violence and embracing productive enterprise.
- The group was previously involved in a tragic shooting incident in Buwenge during the LC1 elections.
- Minister Babalanda contributes Shs 5 million to support the group's development initiative.
