The Ministry of Public Service in conjunction with Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA) have embarked on a countrywide campaign to rally the youth to embrace income generating activities and start saving for long-term purposes. Over the past three months, this initiative has been rolled out in Greater Luwero (Nakasongola, Nakaseke, Luwero) and Bunyoro (Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa).

Among the informal sector workers who attended the engagements were farmers, welders, saloon attendants, carpenters, transporters among others. During the engagements, facilitators share knowledge about business start-up, reduction on unnecessary expenditure and saving for long-term purposes. In Nakasongola and Nakaseke Districts, the youth repeatedly pointed out that engaging in income generating activities is their utmost wish, but generating seed capital has proven a challenge to many. Hajji Hassan Nakabaale, the Chief Manager of Corporate and Public Affairs at URBRA, demonstrated how income can be generated through reducing unnecessary expenditures, saving and investing.

However, he advised the youth to form cooperatives and incorporate collective saving, as this will benefit them more than saving individually. He further gave a case study of one of the biggest associations of artisanal miners in Mubende, who were able to mechanize their trade by saving daily and started mining stones on a large scale. “These women I am telling you about were earning at least 10,000shs daily, but when asked what they use it for, it was discovered that after buying food, balance was spent on alcohol. They were advised to form a group and saved 2,000shs daily,” Hajji Nakabaale narrated. He added that, “a year later, the women were able to buy two trucks to transport their stones and expand their business. They were also able to make extra money from hiring out the trucks.

 This couldn’t have been possible if they had done it individually.” The Minister of Public Service, Hon. Wilson Muruli Mukasa, challenged the youth to desist from politicizing government programs aimed at empowering them. He urged them to take advantage of the initiatives like PDM to improve their livelihoods. “These programs are for everyone regardless of political beliefs,” he said. Not to differ from their counterparts in Greater Luwero, the youth in Bunyoro also decried the lack of capital.

Could this be the major hindrance to starting up income-generating activities among youth in most parts of the country? Speaking at an engagement held in Biiso Sub-County Bulisa District, Mr. Julius Bigirwa Junjura the Chairman URBRA Board of Directors highlighted the realties of old age poverty, calling upon everyone to begin preparations for their old age. “Time is coming when your ability to go to the garden every morning and cultivate will reduce, but you will need more than your current basic needs, what will you do? The solution is to start saving now. URBRA is here for that purpose,” Mr. Junjura emphasized.

As much as income generation especially among the youth is a big concern, URBRA is optimistic that if youth begin saving as soon as they start earning, their retirement would be catered for. Those in the informal sector especially need to start early since they don’t have a structured saving plan. They need to start small but be consistent, and let their savings grow over time