By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAWEMPE
Hamza Kyagulanyi, a former street boy from Nabukalu Zone, Bwaise II, is now earning a living through graphics design and T-shirt printing—thanks to President Museveni’s Ghetto Structure initiative, which he says economically empowered youth in his area.
Once homeless and jobless, Kyagulanyi now runs a small but thriving graphics business in Nabukalu Zone, Bwaise II Kimombasa, Kawempe North, Kampala, creating digital designs and branded wear for local clients. He attributes his transformation to skills training and startup support he received under the presidential ghetto empowerment program.
“I never imagined I could make a decent living legally. The ghetto initiative gave me hope and a way out,” Kyagulanyi told Parrots Media during a presidential tour on PDM implementation in Kampala.
The Ghetto Structure was rolled out by President Museveni in 2019 to improve the livelihoods of informal youth in urban slums, focusing on entrepreneurship, skilling, and mindset change.“When the initiative started, my colleagues reached out to me and asked that we started working together on this project. We received Shs2.5 million which we used to buy these machines for printing T-shirts,” Kyagulanyi said, representing a five members group.
The group appealed to the president to further support them with new digital machines
Sadam Hussein Kiggundu, the chairperson of the Nabukalu Zone Ghetto Structure suggested for creation of presidential zonal hub in the area to allow them train more youth, especially street children and those in the ghetto. He also asked for support to expand their working place into a spacious workshop.
The Mayor of Kampala Central Division, Salim Uhuru Nsubuga said the government is committed to transforming the livelihoods of the ghetto people into responsible citizens. Uhuru challenged the opposition not again use the ghetto for their personal gains, warning that they will support President Museveni and NRM in the 2026 elections.
In response, the President pledged to give Shs5 billion to ghetto structures in the four divisions of Kampala every year. They are Nakawa, Kawempe , Makindye and Kampala Central Division.
The President however wondered how the youth in the ghetto were not considered for parish development model, Emyooga, Youth Livelihood, despite the government spending more money on the programs.
“We will allocate more funds to their structures in each division of Kampala. I congratulate them on their achievements and wish them continued success as they work to enhance their lives,” Museveni said.
During the tour, Museveni visited other Ghetto Projects in the area including goat keeping, electrical repairs, cake making, broom making, selling roasted simsim.
He later proceeded to Kawempe Mbogo Mosque Playground where he addressed ghetto youth.
