A storm of controversy has erupted in Mukono District over the alleged mismanagement of Shs 100 million and several motorcycles that President Yoweri Museveni donated to ghetto supporters across the country.
The funds and motorcycles—meant to empower and improve the welfare of ghetto youths—have instead become the source of anger, accusations of corruption, favouritism, and misuse among the intended beneficiaries.
A group of ghetto youths under their association, Beganzi Ghetto Group, based in Wantoni–Mukono, have publicly denounced the way the presidential donations were handled. They accuse some district leaders and ghetto coordinators of diverting both the money and motorcycles for personal gain, with reports that some of the motorcycles were given to relatives and close associates of local leaders.
Salt Media, which has been following the trail of the President’s donation, visited several ghetto communities in Mukono Municipality, including one along Colline Street, to assess the situation. Many residents expressed frustration and betrayal, claiming they were mobilized and paraded at political events—especially at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds—only to be abandoned afterward.
Lemack further alleged that the motorcycles, which were intended to help ghetto youths start small transport and delivery businesses, were instead distributed among a select few.
Ronald Kiyaga, popularly known as Ganyana, who previously served as secretary on the committee responsible for vetting and distributing the funds, confirmed that the process initially began fairly but was later hijacked.
Kiyaga also claimed that the issue of the motorcycles became even more questionable during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The disgruntled youths now say they are tired of being used for political gain.
Dr. Daisy Sarah Sonko Nabatanzi, widely known as Maama Ghetto, who coordinated ghetto structures in the Greater Mukono region, admitted that the complaints were genuine and regrettable.
Dr. Nabatanzi revealed that similar complaints had been raised before and confirmed plans for a high-level meeting to review and investigate the matter.
However, when contacted for a response, Mr. Ssalongo Dickson Maziga dismissed the accusations as false and politically motivated.
As the controversy deepens, calls for an independent investigation continue to grow, with many ghetto youths insisting that the President’s donation must reach its intended beneficiaries—rather than serving as a tool for political manipulation or personal enrichment.
