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It will take NRM more than cash handouts to win over the youth
On Monday, President Museveni through government officials led by Col Shaban Bantariza, the deputy government spokesperson, donated Shs100 million to youth groups in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb.
The money was delivered at almost the same time that Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, held a press conference at his home in Magere, Wakiso District, shortly after his return from the US. Mr Kyagulanyi was born and bred in Kamwokya.
Col Bantariza called upon the ghetto youth to “stop protesting and concentrate on initiatives that will develop you at a personal level, your families and the area at large”. Although the timing of the handout was suspicious, the gesture of goodwill by State House was well received by the youth who ironically thanked Bobi Wine.
But looks like the tradition of dishing out cash by government is not unique to only Uganda.
In 2015 when newly crowned monarch of the oil-rich Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, ascended the throne following the death of his brother, King Abdullah, billions of dollars were given to citizens in an extravagant celebration of his coronation.
The massive cash handout, estimated at $32 billion (Shs123 trillion), included two month’s pay for all state employees, soldiers, pensioners and donations to various professional associations and sports clubs.
The tradition of cash handouts in exchange for allegiance dates back to the times of tribal Arab sheikhs who tried to prove to their citizens that they were the wisest, bravest and most generous rulers.
The same could be said of Uganda where the level of government service delivery falls short of citizens’ expectations; where there is chronic voter manipulation, high corruption, poor policy implementation and failing youth programmes.
These NRM government inadequacies could be interpreted as the reasons behind government’s cash handouts; to try and buy political allegiance. The Youth Livelihood Programme, implemented under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, had an initial budget approved by Cabinet and Parliament of Shs265 billion over a period of five years to finance 13,107 projects.
The money was advanced to youth interest groups to harness their social-economic potential and increase self-employment opportunities and income.
In January 2017, Gender ministry Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana remarked that “high youth unemployment rates, especially in Kampala City had left young people desperate, vulnerable and prone to exploitation, being forced to find alternatives to generate income”.
But more than four years after its launch, the Youth Livelihood Programme seems not to be bearing fruits as anticipated.
There is a growing perception that the NRM party is desperate for youth loyalty so much so that it is willing to unsustainably dish out cash.
Realistically, perhaps the NRM government has started realising its shortcomings and the handouts such as in Kamwokya is government’s way of offering an apology for the unemployment among the youth.
But it might take the NRM government – that has been in power for more than three decades – more than cash handouts to win over the youth.
Ms Victoria Nyeko is a media commentator.
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Twitter:@VictoriaNyeko
