AUTHORITIES IN MASINDI STRUGGLE OVER YOUTH LIVELIHOOD FUNDS

By Yosam Gucwaki

In Masindi

www.mknewslink.com

Masindi municipal authorities are struggling to recover the Youth Livelihood programme funds for the last three financial years.

According to the report released by Masindi municipality principal Community development officer also the YLP focal person, Godfrey Bahemuka, for the last three financial years they received accumulated total of UGX 225 million but have recovered only UGx 75 million.

The report further indicated that the money received for the three financial years funded 29 projects benefiting a total of 327 youth of whom 190 are males while 137 are females.
It also indicated that projects for financial year 2015/ 2016, performance stands at 12%compared to phase one projects of financial year 2014/2015 which stands at 52%.

The report also shows that there is a big problem for projects for financial year 2015/2016 in Karujubu and Nyangahya division where only 3% of the money has been paid. It also shows that the performance of the projects in Karujubu division is very poor at only 20%.

Bahemuka told mknewslink.com that he is facing a lot of challenges while trying to recover the money from the youth citing negative advice from some politicians who tell the beneficiaries that YLP is a grant but not a loan. He also said arresting of defaulters has not yielded anything adding that lack of transparency and accountability by group leaders is also a major challenge.

He also explained that delayed release of funds by the ministry yet other projects are seasonal and dynamic said is also a hindrance.

Edema Stephen, the deputy town clerk Masindi municipality, said YLP is performing badly in Masindi municipality because the youth have a negative attitude towards the programme.

A seven member committee has been formed to establish the current status of the YLP projects across the municipality. The team which is being headed by the deputy town clerk Masindi municipality, Stephen Edema is supposed to produce a report in one month time.

Joab Businge, the Mayor Masindi municipality, told mknewslink.com that the
reason why YLP is performing badly is that most of the groups formed
are allied to some influential political actors adding that is why they are failing to pay.He notes that no one will escape the arm of the law.

Source: www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com
Tel: +256702680106