KYANKWANZI, UGANDA — President Yoweri Museveni has committed UGX 2 billion to strengthen a SACCO established for Ugandans recently repatriated from South Africa, in addition to providing UGX 2 million in cash to each returnee.
Museveni announced the financial support on Sunday while addressing the returnees at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi District, drawing wild cheers from the gathering.
The President said the intervention was intended to help the returnees rebuild their lives, start income-generating projects and reintegrate into their communities after facing difficult conditions in South Africa.
Museveni encouraged the group, particularly young people, to take advantage of opportunities in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and information and communications technology.
“Today in Kyankwanzi, I met Ugandans who returned from South Africa. I reiterated that the NRM has consistently fought poverty through education, wealth creation and job creation,” Museveni said in a statement after the meeting.
He added that the Government would continue supporting the returnees’ reintegration, including strengthening their SACCO to enable members to access capital for productive enterprises.
Museveni also urged other Ugandans working abroad under difficult and exploitative conditions to consider returning home and taking advantage of available economic opportunities.
“I also appealed to Ugandans working abroad under difficult conditions to return home and seize the opportunities available here,” he said.
The President condemned xenophobia against Africans living in other African countries, recalling Uganda’s contribution to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
“Uganda stood with South Africa during the struggle against apartheid, and we cannot accept the notion that fellow Africans are ‘xenos’ in Africa,” Museveni said.
He also conveyed condolences to the families of three Ugandans who lost their lives in South Africa.
The returnees have been undergoing patriotism, ideological orientation and rehabilitation training at NALI Kyankwanzi as part of the Government’s programme to prepare them for reintegration and economic empowerment.
