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Shift Media News 
By Our Reporter
KAMPALA, Ugan [SHIFTMEDIA NEWS] Ghetto youth operating in Rubaga have been warned against engaging in lawlessness and criminal acts.
The call was made by the NRM Chairperson for Rubaga Division Alhaji Abdullah Kitaata as he commissioned the Ghetto Youth SACCO geared toward enhancing increased livelihoods among the youths.
Kitata cautioned the ghetto youth against being used by unscrupulous politicians seeking to outgrow their selfish ego.
He was addressing hundreds of ghetto youth drawn from 13 parishes in Rubaga Division at the launch of their SACCO. Kitaata warned the Youth against causing mayhem and activities against the law. “Now that the NRM government has created mechanisms geared towards shaping your livelihoods and addressing poverty, you have to desist from acts of lawlessness,” said Kitaata.
“Commander’ Jackie Nakalema knees down to appreciate the shs500,000 donation from Alhaji Abdullah Kitata
He was speaking at Jacaranda Hotel where the ghetto youth leaders from Rubaga Division gathered to receive their SACCO passbooks. The meeting was attended by top security officials from the Directorate of Crime Intelligence (CI), Uganda Police, Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF), and officials from State House.
Jackie Nakalema the deputy National Ghetto Coordinator and Rubaga Division Ghetto Youth Coordinator said the SACCO has drawn members from the Mutundwe, Busega, Lubya, Kasubi, Nakulabye, Lubaga, Kabowa, Ndeeba, Lungujja, Namirembe, Bakulu, and Natete.
“Currently we have some 100 members who shall be saving five thousand shillings per week. We already have a running account with the House Finance Bank. We are optimistic, the numbers shall rise in a few months,” said Nakalema.
She said the ghetto youth structuring is an initiative of H.E president Museveni and being implemented by the Director Crime Intelligence Brig. Gen Christopher Ddamulira and Maj. Emma Kutesa from State House.
Maj. Emma Kutesa from State House warned the ghetto youth against being used by politicians whose aim is to reap big as the innocent youth wobble in poverty. “It’s unfortunate that someone pays you five thousand (5000) to go and burn tyres in the streets as they drive big Land cruisers. You are in poverty but those using you are sending their kids to study abroad,” said Kutesa. He warned the ghetto youth against engaging in acts of crime, insisting that they instead get together through the SACCOs and improve their livelihoods.
Hajji Abdalla Kitata (L) hands over a SACCO passbook to one of the Ghetto Youth as Maj. Emma Kutesa looks on
“It’s only in the ghetto that one steals or robs shs50m, chews it all and remains in poverty,” said Kutesa. He said come 2026, the wave will be tilted towards the ruling National Resistance. Movement party. In a rare move, Kitaata who said he was in jail for three years due to intrigue from his enemies, noted that the suffering made him stronger.
“They thought that by throwing me in jail for three years, I would be finished, but I came out even stronger. They felt my persecution would make me lose my zeal for NRM and President Museveni, but I am happy Museveni made sure all my properties are safe,” he said. He handed shs500,000 as contribution to each of the 100 registered members in the Rubaga Kakeeka Zone Ghetto Dwellers Cooperative Society Limited.
The DISO Rubaga Lt Francis Mpawulo hailed the Ghetto Youth structure initiators for helping government address the issue of insecurity emanating from the Ghettos in Kampala and its suburbs.
“Not so long ago it would be so hard to convince a ghetto dweller to go to any police station. To them any police was declared an enemy, today we are here with them amidst police presence,” said the DISO.
Rubaga deputy Ghetto coordinator Nasser Winyi asked the security operatives especially police to desist from arresting the ghetto youth. He noted that some unscrupulous police personnel had turned the ghetto areas into a ‘gold mine’. “Each time they feel like minting money they storm the ghettos and make fake arrests. They later charge abnormal money in form of police bond before they can set the arrested youths free,” said Nasser.
