The State Minister for Youths and Children, Dr. Balaam Barugahara has called on the Government to consider granting amnesty to young people who have failed to repay billions of shillings from the Youth Livelihood Program.

In a proposal he intends to present before Cabinet and Parliament, Barugahara suggests that beneficiaries who are currently in hiding due to unpaid loans should be given a debt waiver. 

He emphasized that this would help ease their burden and encourage them to reintegrate into society.

Barugahara made the remarks during an appearance before the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, where he responded to an inquiry from Nakaseke Central MP, Allan Mayanja Ssebunya, about recovering funds from both the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship and Youth Livelihood Programs.

Barugahara argued that the cost of tracking and arresting loan defaulters might surpass the amount recovered, suggesting that a loan write-off could be more cost-effective.

He highlighted that factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of proper guidance for beneficiaries were major reasons behind the defaults. 

As such, Barugahara appealed to Parliament to consider the possibility of canceling the debts, providing a fresh start for many young Ugandans.

By Francis Lubega

25 February 2025

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