Youth leaders from the districts that form the districts of Kiruhura, Ibanda, Ntungamo, Mbarara and Isingiro are accusing Operation Wealth Creation OWC officials of sidelining them.
Youth leaders from the districts that form the districts of Kiruhura, Ibanda, Ntungamo, Mbarara and Isingiro are accusing Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) officials of sidelining them.
The youth leaders claim that OWC officials instead distribute agricultural inputs to the rich by supporting the already established farmers, an act they say should be done away with.
The youth want the coordinators of the program to revise the manner in which the inputs are given out and also ensure that the poor are given first priority.
Caleb Kafuniza, the Ibanda District youth council chairperson, says that although the project has got good intentions, its success depends on how it is rolled out. He says the youth have always been left out in the program yet there is no specific age that was set for beneficiaries under the programme.
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Nicholas Tumusiime, the Ntungamo district youth male councillor, says the youth are at times told off by the coordinators that they should focus on projects that specifically target the youth.
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But Major Sam Kalogo, the OWC coordinator for Mbarara area says that some of the youth do not follow the set guidelines to benefit under the programme and instead resort to excuses.
He says that the youth should now work towards ensuring that they meet all the requirements.
According to OWC national Coordinator, General Salim Saleh, the programme has performed poorly in the Ankole sub region. He says that the performance has been below 50% an issue he says is disappointing.
President Yoweri Museveni established OWC in July 2013 with a view to eradicate poverty and facilitate growth of household income through agriculture.
