KIRYANDONGO LEADERS STRUGGLE TO RECOVER YOUTH FUNDS

By Innocent Atuganyira
In Kiryandongo

Leaders in Kiryandongo district are struggling to recover the youth funds under the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP).

The recovery rate is very low at 10%, which is affecting the generation of new beneficiary groups since it is a revolving fund.

On Monday, the district leaders launched 16 enterprises worth 164.8 million shillings under the Youth Livelihood Program.

The youth livelihood program implementation, which started in 2013, has benefited 161 groups worth 1.3 billion.

According to Geoffrey Dabanja, the Kiryandongo District Commercial Development Officer, the youth livelihood program is designed to bridge the unemployment gap among the youth.

Dabanja asked the senior assistant CAOs and the youth leaders to ensure the recovery of the money from the beneficiary groups.

He also noted that the recovery of the funds was being affected by local politics, which made the beneficiaries perceive the program as a political token.

Denis Dacan, the principal assistant CAO, informed the beneficiaries that the funds had been disbursed to their bank accounts. He urged them to withdraw and use the money as per the work plan of the group.

He called upon the sub-county leaders to ensure that the groups adhere to the repayment schedule for timely recovery of the funds for the benefit of other groups.

Edith Aliguma Adyeri, the district chairperson of Kiryandongo, urged the youths to make good use of the funds to bail themselves out of poverty.

Aliguma also urged the beneficiary groups not to divert the funds to other activities but rather stick to their business plans.

The funds disbursed under YLP are to be repaid in three years with 5% interest. However, no interest is paid by a beneficiary group that repays within one year after disbursement of the funds.