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The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, has asked the people of Bunyoro to embrace the government programs aimed at eradicating poverty while speaking as the chief guest at the commemoration of the belated International Women’s Day held at Kigorobya Muslims Primary School Playground Ground in Hoima district on Saturday, July 13th, 2024.

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Kigorobya Muslims Primary School Playground Ground in the Hoima district, in observance of the belated International Women’s Day, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, made the request to the people of Bunyoro to embrace the government’s programmes aimed at eliminating poverty.

Tayebwa said that the government has initiated programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Program (YLP), and UWEP, among others, to elevate people from poverty to a money economy.

The speaker also advised the youth to desist from alcoholism and rather invest their little money in developmental projects. ‘’I’m begging the youth to kindly desist from alcoholism, it will not spur development in the area.’’

Speaking at the same function, Uthuman Mubarak Kadir, the Hoima district LCV chairperson, said that they have opened war on government officials who swindle funds meant tobenefit the poor.

‘’Hon. Speaker, we have started a war on government officials, as I talk now, some of councilors are in bush on swindling money meant for the people, government has been disbursing funds but wasn’t reaching the beneficiaries.’’

He said that security has been directed to investigate and arrest those involved in sabotaging and swindling money for beneficiaries.

Rodgers Mbabazi, the Hoima Resident District Commissioner (RDC), said that the district has so far received Shs8.6 billion for PDM, and 6,308 households have benefited. They also received Shs1.6 billion for Emyooga, and they are expecting each SACCO to receive an addition of Shs20 million.

In addition, Mbabazi said that under the Youth Livelihood Program, they have received Shs1.4 billion, but only Shs309 million has been recovered.

He stressed that they have a challenge with loan recovery since most youth haven’t made profits from their enterprises, in addition to the effect of COVID-19.

Speaking to journalists after the event, Businge Harriet, the Hoima District Woman MP, stressed that many government programs have not elevated the citizens from poverty to their expectations due to a lack of financial literacy.

Businge said that she has embarked on training beneficiaries of these programs on financial literacy so as to be able to use the little money for development.