Busoga King (Kyabazinga) William Nadiope Gabula IV, has urged the government to expand funding for youth-focused development programmes, warning that many young people in the region are still locked out of the Emyooga initiative.
He made the remarks on Saturday while presiding over an exhibition organised by the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) at the Busoga Kingdom headquarters in Jinja City.
The event brought together beneficiaries from across the sub-region to showcase products and value-added items made through Emyooga support.
The Kyabazinga said the programme was not reaching its intended audience. ‘Unemployment remains a major challenge, especially among the youth and teenage mothers,’ he said.
He added that ‘MSC should adopt more inclusive strategies to ensure greater access to government seed capital.’
Touring stalls filled with maize flour, liquid soap, handcrafts, carpentry items, tailoring products, hairdressing materials and catering services, the Kyabazinga praised the effort of beneficiaries.
‘I have seen that you are doing well in acquiring skills and engaging in various productive activities. This shows commitment to becoming responsible and working toward eliminating poverty in your homes, and I commend that effort,’ he said.
His call followed concerns from Busoga Kingdom Second Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Osman Noor, who questioned why a limited number of young people were benefiting from government-backed programmes.
‘Many young people are missing out on programmes like Emyooga due to limited awareness, weak mobilization structures, and inadequate targeting,’ Mr Osman said, adding: ‘These gaps continue to deny the youth access to capital and the financial skills needed to overcome poverty.’
But MSC Busoga Zonal Manager Martin Isabirye pushed back, saying the programme had made notable progress in the region.
‘Busoga has made significant progress, with some beneficiaries supported in value addition and processing to the point of securing UNBS certification,’ he said, adding: ‘This has enabled them to access wider markets, including export opportunities.’
According to him, the centre’s support went beyond financing to also include helping beneficiaries secure markets.
Busoga Sub-region, he noted, has so far registered 576 SACCOs, which received Shs17.9 billion in the first phase and another Shs7.1 billion.
Many have since advanced to lending to their members, he said, signalling growing financial independence.
Jinja Resident City Commissioner Richard Gulume thanked the Kyabazinga for mobilising his subjects to embrace government programmes.
Mr Gulume appealed to him to encourage the people of Busoga to ‘maintain peaceful and healthy conduct’ as political tensions rise ahead of the January 2026 polls.