Mapenduzi pumps sh40m into youth savings groups to tackle joblessness in Gulu West

The Member of Parliament for Gulu West (Bardege-Layibi) Division in Gulu City, Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, has injected more than shs40 million in seed capital into 14 youth savings groups across his constituency in a bid to fight unemployment and promote self-reliance.

Through the Mapenduzi Foundation, the MP confirmed that over 500 youths have so far registered to benefit from the initiative and in addition, the foundation will provide financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills training to ensure that the youths manage their finances effectively and run sustainable projects.

Mapenduzi said the initiative began three years ago with efforts to mobilize and unite young people through sports tournaments and community engagement activities.

“I am using two approaches to bring the youth together; one is through promoting games and sports to nurture talent, health, and unity. The other is encouraging productivity through savings groups at the ward level,” he explained.

He noted that promoting a saving culture and hard work among young people is key to boosting production and development in Gulu West Division.

The MP said the support is not limited to youth groups. In 2022, he extended financial assistance to several smaller markets in the constituency, including Olayi-Long market, Mack-Pacu market, and Kabedo-Opong market, each receiving shs 7.5 million as revolving funds to boost small-scale businesses.

He pledged to link both youth and women’s groups to government programs such as NUSAF4, Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Programme to enable them to access further funding and technical support.

“We expect the groups to invest the Shs 2 million in well-organized, income-generating projects such as poultry keeping, brick making, piggery, and vegetable farming,” he said.

“We will closely monitor the projects to ensure that by next year, the youths are fully engaged in serious production,” he added.

Youth groups embrace the opportunity

Tabu Beckam, chairperson of the Kasubi Ward Youth Savings Group, expressed gratitude to the MP for supporting young people and uniting them through football initiatives.

“We have chosen a piggery project because it is marketable, and the income we generate will be saved in our group account, and members will be able to borrow at a small interest rate of 10 percent, repayable within three months. This will allow the fund to revolve and benefit everyone,” Tabu said.

The Kasubi group has over 30 active members and also runs a football team aimed at strengthening unity and discipline among the youth.

Rubangakene Daniel, male youth councillor for Gulu City, said organizing young people into productive groups will help reduce criminal gang activity and domestic violence.

“Bringing youth together into productive activities will improve their welfare and reduce cases of crime,” he said.

“While I may not have personal funds to give, I will use my lobbying capacity to connect them to government programs and encourage a mindset change.”

Meanwhile, Vanessa Anyango, female youth councillor for Gulu City, said she is conducting door-to-door mobilisation of young mothers to form savings groups and shift away from street life.

“When young mothers have financial support and skills, they can live peacefully in the community,” Anyango noted.

Further noting that, “we are also profiling them to make it easier to link them to training opportunities and well-wishers.”

She added that during her five years in office, she has supported four young mothers to join university under second-chance education programs and facilitated skills training for over 80 others.

With rising unemployment among young people in Gulu City, leaders believe that strengthening savings groups, promoting skills training, and linking beneficiaries to government programs could offer a sustainable pathway out of poverty.

For the youths of Gulu West, the shs 40 million seed capital is more than just funding; it represents renewed hope for productivity, unity, and economic independence.