BUWENGE, JINJA – Minister for the Presidency and Budiope West Member of Parliament, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has commended a youth group in Buwenge Town Council for abandoning political violence and embracing entrepreneurship and community development.
Babalanda made the remarks on Friday while officiating at a fundraising ceremony for the DAFAT & NIMO Youth Development Group and Catering Services in Jinja District, describing the initiative as an example of mindset change, self-reliance and responsible citizenship.
The minister said some members of the group had previously been involved in political violence in Jinja, including an incident in Buwenge during the LC1 elections in which two people were shot dead.
“When H.E. the President delegated me to convey his sympathies to the bereaved families, I established the root cause of the problem. I subsequently engaged some of these youths and counselled them to reform and embrace a more constructive path,” Babalanda said.
She said she was encouraged by the decision of the youths to heed the advice and establish a community-based enterprise offering catering and other services as a source of income.
“This is the spirit of innovation and self-reliance that our nation needs,” she said.
Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni, Secretary to the Office of the President Hajji Yunus Kakande and staff of the Office of the President.
She commended the leadership of Jinja District for supporting youth empowerment initiatives, noting that young people should be viewed not only as future leaders but also as partners in the country’s development.
The minister also praised members of DAFAT & NIMO for responding to President Museveni’s call for hard work and household wealth creation, saying their initiative demonstrates patriotism and responsibility.
She applauded the Jinja District security team for restoring calm in Buwenge through mindset change meetings aimed at addressing criminality and urged district leaders to maintain cooperation with security agencies.
Babalanda further called on local leaders to put aside differences that emerged during the general elections and work together to promote unity and development.
Addressing the youth, she encouraged those who did not have an opportunity to pursue formal education to acquire vocational and practical skills, saying academic qualifications should not be viewed as the only route to economic success.
She urged young people to take advantage of government programmes aimed at supporting wealth creation, including the Youth Livelihood Programme, Emyooga, the Parish Development Model and the Four-Acre Model.
Babalanda also cautioned young people in Buwenge against drug and substance abuse, saying sobriety, discipline and focus are essential for responsible citizenship and productive livelihoods.
She called on women to pursue economic independence and actively participate in income-generating activities, arguing that economically empowered women contribute to stronger families, communities and the wider economy.
The minister also appealed to parents to stop sending children to work in sugarcane plantations at the expense of their education, stressing that every child deserves an opportunity to attend school and build a better future.
As part of her contribution to the youth initiative, Babalanda donated Shs5 million to DAFAT & NIMO Youth Development Group and Catering Services.
The fundraising ceremony was attended by Jinja District Woman MP Hon. Peace Tibyaze, the Regional Police Commander, Resident District Commissioner, Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Assistant Resident District Commissioners, local leaders and other well-wishers.
