Gen. Damulira getting served a meal.
The Director of Crime Intelligence at the Uganda Police Force and National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Programme, AIGP Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, has commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for liberating and empowering the ghetto youth, saying the initiative has transformed their lives socially and economically.
“The President said you don’t need to go to jail; you need to live normally. But how do you live normally without something to eat? By working. That’s why he went ahead to empower you financially to start something for yourselves. This ghetto structure programme has been working well ever since we started it four years ago,” Maj. Gen. Ddamulira said.
He made the remarks on Monday, July 13th, 2026, while addressing participants during the closing ceremony of the Busoga Sub-region Ghetto Structure Leaders’ Retreat at Bishop Willis Centre in Iganga Municipality.
The three-day retreat, held under the theme “Empowering the Ghettos for a Crime-Free Society,” brought together leaders from 137 gazetted ghetto depots across the 11 districts and one city in the Busoga Sub-region.
Maj. Gen. Ddamulira reminded participants that the Ghetto Structure Programme is intended to reform and empower ghetto youth socially and economically.
“This retreat has been crucial because you have been educated, empowered and given direction as ghetto youth leaders. Now you should sit together as leaders and find solutions for the boys and girls you left behind,” he said.
He revealed that the organisers of the retreat have also developed a five-year master plan aimed at supporting youth participation in income-generating activities.
“We now have a five-year master plan that will help you engage in income-generating activities. Those are the plans you need instead of getting involved in crime. This master plan is aimed at putting money into your pockets.”
Maj. Gen. Ddamulira further disclosed that President Museveni, through the government, has so far injected Shs3.2 billion into ghetto SACCOs across the country.
“This means jobs, hope, a sense of direction and a future for you and your families. Your colleagues in Kampala and Mukono utilised the financial support so well that the President was impressed and promised to add another Shs5 billion to the Ghetto Structure Programme. Your activities in Busoga also need financing, and that support will come.”
He added that the programme has also been rolled out in Hoima, Masaka and Fort Portal, with plans to expand to all cities in Uganda.
“We want to ensure that within the next five years, every ghetto youth has benefited from government funding.”
Maj. Gen. Ddamulira also encouraged the youth to actively participate in governance by contesting for leadership positions.
“I am happy that many of you are ready and willing to participate in the governance of this country.
Contest for LC I positions and other leadership offices. When you succeed, you should be able to tell the ghetto story and contribute ideas that will ensure the continuity of this programme. You are now leaders entrusted with ensuring that the aspirations of your people are achieved.”
Maj. Gen. Ddamulira urged the newly elected leaders to sensitise fellow youth and promote a crime-free society.
According to the latest Uganda Police annual crime report, he noted, crime levels in many ghettos have significantly declined, largely due to the work of the Ghetto Structure Programme.
“You cannot fight crime and build a crime-free society without addressing the challenges facing ghetto youth. Crime leads to loss of life, destruction of property, lawlessness, reduced tourism, reduced foreign direct investment, damage to the country’s image and poor public health.”
He urged the youth to embrace patriotism, obey the law, cooperate with security agencies, participate in government poverty alleviation programmes and respect leadership.
Maj. Gen. Ddamulira also proposed establishing a platform where reformed youth could share testimonies to inspire others.
“When other ghetto youth hear such testimonies, they too can be encouraged to reform.”
Stay Away From Drugs, Violence and Land Conflicts:
The Crime Intelligence Director cautioned the youth against drug abuse, political violence and involvement in land disputes.
“I want you to avoid drugs. Drug abuse destroys lives and affects your health.”
On political violence, he warned:
“Violence does not pay, especially for the foot soldiers. The ring leaders are usually the biggest beneficiaries. Their bank accounts are credited, they easily obtain visas, acquire properties abroad and secure bail when arrested. The foot soldiers are left to face prison or even lose their lives.”
He also warned against accepting payment to participate in land conflicts.
“No one should hire you to fight for someone’s land. That habit must stop.”
Maj. Gen. Ddamulira assured the youth that Uganda remains peaceful due to the efforts of President Museveni, the Chief of Defence Forces and the country’s security agencies.
“Support government programmes, mobilise others to participate and free yourselves from criminality through productive work. Your talents will be identified and promoted.”
The newly elected Busoga Ghetto Executive, regional leaders and other participants received certificates of recognition during the ceremony.
Appreciation to Stakeholders:
Maj. Gen. Ddamulira thanked the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for maintaining peace and security, saying a stable security environment enables development programmes to thrive.
He also appreciated the Inspector General of Police for supporting the joint implementation of the programme by Uganda Police and State House.
In addition, he commended Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation and Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Alhaji Faruk Kirunda, for his commitment to the success of the Busoga Ghetto Structure Programme.
“If it were not for him, even this event would not have taken place. He is dedicated, loyal and consistent. We faced challenges when we started, but today we are seeing the fruits of this project.”
Five-Year Rehabilitation Plan:
Speaking at the same event, Alhaji Kirunda informed Maj. Gen. Ddamulira that a comprehensive five-year rehabilitation plan for Busoga’s ghettos had been launched.
“We thank you for your wise counsel and continued support. It was not an easy journey, but because of your guidance, this project became a reality.”
He revealed that the Presidential funds disbursed to ghetto SACCOs had been put to productive use and recovery of revolving funds was already underway.
“For example, Namayingo District has already recovered Shs3 million, and the recovery process is continuing.”
Alhaji Kirunda directed the Busoga Ghetto Giant, Blessing Byakika to work closely with security agencies to eliminate illegal, ungazetted ghetto depots.
“At the moment, we have 137 gazetted depots.”
He also assured additional government support for organised youth groups that had utilised Presidential funding effectively.
“Our office recently conducted profiling of beneficiaries. We shall support organised groups with welding equipment, soap-making machines and other tools of production. We shall also support roadside market vendors, meat and gonja roasters operating in gazetted locations, establish a music studio for talented youth and work with the Ministry of Works to create employment opportunities through road maintenance.”
The Namayingo Resident District Commissioner, Eva Nalongo Kwesiga, thanked President Museveni and other stakeholders for rehabilitating ghetto youth.
“To the ghetto youth, do not betray the trust and support being extended to you. Remain reformed and become responsible citizens.”
She noted that crime had significantly reduced in Namayingo because many youth had abandoned criminal activities.
The NRM Chairperson for Busoga Sub-region, Haji Abubakar Walubi, also commended President Museveni for consistently supporting ghetto youth.
“There has been tremendous transformation among you, and we should never take it for granted.”
He applauded Maj. Gen. Ddamulira, Maj. Emma Kutesa, Deputy National Coordinator of the Ghetto Structure Programme, and Alhaji Faruk Kirunda for championing the initiative across the country.
“You convinced the President that instead of fighting these young people, we should organise, sensitise and transform them into responsible citizens.”
Haji Walubi encouraged the youth to remain law-abiding and actively participate in the forthcoming Local Council I elections.
During the retreat, the Busoga Ghetto Giant, Mr. Byakika, was presented with a brand-new motorcycle to facilitate coordination activities across the sub-region.
The retreat was organised by the Office of the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilisation in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force’s Directorate of Crime Intelligence.
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