Youths who misused funds from the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) will not be forgiven, Winnie Matsiko, the national coordinator of the program, has declared. Matsiko emphasized that the government is not lenient towards individuals who mismanage public resources meant to empower young people.
Matsiko made these remarks during a meeting with Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Committee on Gender, Labour, and Social Development. The committee was on a fact-finding mission in Mpigi District to assess the implementation of the YLP.
Manisoor Muluya, the Chairperson of Youth in Mpigi District, expressed concern over the misuse of YLP funds, stating that many youths have failed to utilize the funds for their intended purposes.
Matsiko attributed the mismanagement to poor monitoring and a lack of proper training for the beneficiaries. She stressed the need for stricter oversight and capacity-building initiatives to ensure the success of the program.
Hon. Agnes Kunihira, the Chairperson of the parliamentary committee, urged district officials to take responsibility for the mismanagement of funds. She called for accountability and transparency in the implementation of the YLP.
Residents of Mpigi District also raised concerns about the program, citing numerous challenges that have hindered its effectiveness. They called for reforms to address the issues and ensure that the program benefits the intended recipients.
Allan Mayanja Ssebunnya, the MP for Nakaseke Central, highlighted discrepancies in the district's report on the YLP. He urged officials to provide accurate and detailed information to enable proper oversight.
Saad Mwanje, the Vice Chairperson of the Presidential Affairs Committee in Mpigi, encouraged youths to take advantage of the YLP and other government initiatives to improve their livelihoods. He emphasized the importance of hard work and accountability in achieving success.
The fact-finding mission concluded with a call for stricter measures to prevent the misuse of YLP funds and ensure that the program achieves its objectives. The government remains committed to empowering youths and improving their livelihoods through initiatives like the YLP.
