Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Janat Mukwaya has called for prosecution of public servants involved in the mismanagement the Youth Livelihood Programme funds in Kibaale district.
The programme is the latest government initiative to address the challenge of unemployment among youths in Uganda. It is designed to equip youth between 18-30 years with skills and start-up capital to enable them effectively participate in National development and improve their quality of life.
However, it has been tainted by reports of bribery initiated by public officials before approving beneficiaries. Groups told the minister that they received amounts less than they signed for, after deductions made by Community Development Officers and Sub County Chiefs for endorsing their applications.
Whistle blowers in Kibaale District pinned the former district YLP Focal Person Stevenson Mutyaba for extorting money during the implementation stage of the government project. They added that each group paid not less than 800,000 Shillings to have its project endorsed for the funding.
A number of civil servants were equally pinned for creating and advancing money to ghost youth groups.
Based on the evidence presented before her, Mukwaya tasked the district leadership and the Chief Administrative Officer to interdict and investigate all civil servants involved in the management of Youth Livelihood Programme funds for possible prosecution. She was addressing youth, women and leaders from Kibaale district on Monday.
The minister said she would also write to the Bishop of Hoima Catholic Diocese and bring to his attention the actions of Stephenson Mutyaba, the former YLP focal person, who has since joined the Catholic Relief Services after one year of service with the Youth Livelihood Programme.
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