Self-identified “poor youth” living in Kampala slums have accused city leaders belonging to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of sabotaging government programs aimed at alleviating poverty in ghetto areas.

In August, President Museveni injected £1.2 billion into 12 different savings and credit cooperatives belonging to ghetto youth living in the slums of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts.

While launching the Ghetto Youth SACCO, Museveni argued that youths can be productive and lift themselves out of poverty if they deliberately engage in the four major productive sectors: commercial agriculture, factories and industrialization, services and ICT innovations.

On Wednesday, the president of Ghetto Structures Uganda, Shaifique Kalyango, said they have identified several MNR leaders in Kampala who are using other youths to sabotage Museveni’s aspirations.

“Ghetto youth were once united in their struggles. I condemn those who seek to divide them by exploiting opposition to government programs. Individuals, including ministers, have been handpicked to discredit government initiatives to reduce poverty and crime,” Kalyango claimed, though he did. I am not naming any suspects.

He added: “Those who support NRM in Kampala are not appreciated while those who undermine government programs are rewarded by our own leaders. NRM leaders prefer the opposition in Kampala because that is how they benefit”.

But Kalyango said the Kampala ghetto structure would remain strong and move forward amid the prevailing circumstances.

“We have put new structures in place and are addressing organizations and individuals who are spreading misinformation that the ghettos are not progressing. It should stop, or we will tackle this head on,” he added.

Another leader within the ghetto structure, Job Norman Katende, said some individuals are falsely claiming that they have not benefited from the transformation fund meant for Kampala ghetto communities.

“Certain people are using our name to create division but we have unified the members of the ghetto under General Ddamulira. Let’s unite and stop sabotaging government programs. The ghetto structure was created to unify Ugandan ghettos,” Katende said.

He observed that: “Criticisms by certain members will only push us back into difficulties, forcing us back to the streets. Those who promote government programs are opposed by the same people in government.”

Katende pointed out that they recently met with Museveni in Kololo and the Ugandan leader expressed his willingness to work with the ghetto communities.

In a separate interview with monitoredNRM communications director Emmanuel Dombo has promised an investigation into insiders sabotaging government programmes.

“If we receive information about their sabotage efforts, we will either respond politically or, if criminal intent is involved, we will inform the relevant authorities so that the law can be enforced,” Dombo said.

He added: “Ugandan politics is full of selfish individuals, including those who claim to oppose Museveni while pursuing their own interests.”

Official government figures from 2024 show that 22.7% (10.4 million) of Uganda’s population of 45.9 million are youth between the ages of 18 and 30. Thousands of them survive in ghettos, mostly in Kampala.