Ghetto Beneficiaries in Mukono Protest Over Undelivered Cash and Motorcycles

By Eric Yiga

A storm of controversy has erupted in Mukono District over the alleged mismanagement of Shs 100 million and several motorcycles that President Yoweri Museveni donated to ghetto supporters across the country.

The funds and motorcycles—meant to empower and improve the welfare of ghetto youths—have instead become the source of anger, accusations of corruption, favoritism, and misuse among the intended beneficiaries.

A group of ghetto youths under their association, Beganzi Ghetto Group, based in Wantoni–Mukono, have publicly denounced the way the presidential donations were handled. They accuse some district leaders and ghetto coordinators of diverting both the money and motorcycles for personal gain, with reports that some of the motorcycles were given to relatives and close associates of local leaders.

Salt Media, which has been following the trail of the President’s donation, visited several ghetto communities in Mukono Municipality, including one along Colline Street, to assess the situation. Many residents expressed frustration and betrayal, claiming they were mobilized and paraded at political events—especially at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds—only to be abandoned afterward.

“We fulfilled all the requirements they asked for, but when it came to receiving the funds, we were completely sidelined,” said Felix Lemack, one of the ghetto youths.
“Up to now, we don’t know who has the money. We call upon Gen. Damulira and other responsible authorities to investigate and ensure the right people receive the funds. This money was meant to help us, not to enrich a few individuals.”

Lemack further alleged that the motorcycles, which were intended to help ghetto youths start small transport and delivery businesses, were instead distributed among a select few.

“This favoritism has killed the purpose of the President’s donation,” he lamented. “We need transparency and reforms in how such government initiatives are managed.”

Ronald Kiyaga, popularly known as Ganyana, who previously served as secretary on the committee responsible for vetting and distributing the funds, confirmed that the process initially began fairly but was later hijacked.

“At first, 40 genuine beneficiaries were selected,” he said. “But along the way, our leader started bringing in his own list of people. That’s when confusion began. Some committee members were sidelined, others quit, and eventually, the wrong people ended up with the money.”

Kiyaga also claimed that the issue of the motorcycles became even more questionable during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“Our leader, Ssalongo Dickson Maziga, took full control of the motorcycles, saying he had orders from top State House officials. Later, his wife—who is also the secretary in the Ghetto Office—took over their management,” he alleged. “We suspect abuse of office and demand investigations and a change in leadership.”

The disgruntled youths now say they are tired of being used for political gain.

“We’re always called to attend rallies and cheer for leaders, but after the cameras go off, we’re left with nothing,” one youth told this reporter. “This time, we will not be used again.”

Dr. Daisy Sarah Sonko Nabatanzi, widely known as Maama Ghetto, who coordinated ghetto structures in the Greater Mukono region, admitted that the complaints were genuine and regrettable.

“The initiative started with good intentions—to uplift the lives of ghetto youths through entrepreneurship and empowerment,” she said. “But unfortunately, some leaders turned it into a personal business. Such people must either reform or face accountability.”

Dr. Nabatanzi revealed that similar complaints had been raised before and confirmed plans for a high-level meeting to review and investigate the matter.

“If we find that the allegations are true, arrests and prosecutions will follow,” she warned.

However, when contacted for a response, Mr. Ssalongo Dickson Maziga dismissed the accusations as false and politically motivated.

“The distribution of both the funds and motorcycles was done transparently and through the right channels,” he said. “All beneficiaries were properly identified, and the records are available for verification. Those making noise are just bitter because they were not selected.”

As the controversy deepens, calls for an independent investigation continue to grow, with many ghetto youths insisting that the President’s donation must reach its intended beneficiaries—rather than serving as a tool for political manipulation or personal enrichment.