Renowned Ugandan media personality Douglas Lwanga has weighed in on one of the country’s most debated issues—why many young people fail to make productive use of government empowerment funds.
According to Lwanga, the problem is not simply how the money is spent but how beneficiaries are prepared before they receive it.
He argues that many young people are given capital without first being equipped with the financial knowledge, mentorship, and business skills needed to turn the funds into sustainable investments.
For Lwanga, the missing ingredient is preparation.
“Young people are not prepared”
Speaking on the issue, Lwanga said the lack of training leaves many beneficiaries vulnerable to poor financial decisions.
“Do you know why the capital that the government gives out to the youth is often misused? It’s simply because most of the young people who receive that capital are not prepared, trained, and mentored on how to effectively use the money.”
He believes that without practical guidance, many recipients struggle to invest wisely or build businesses capable of generating long-term income.
According to Lwanga, giving out money alone is not enough if recipients lack the skills to manage and grow it.
Arrests don’t solve the real problem
Lwanga also questioned the practice of arresting beneficiaries after empowerment funds have been misused.
In his view, such actions focus on the consequences instead of addressing the underlying issues that contribute to the problem.
“After that, you get them arrested, which is not good. We treat the symptoms without going to the grassroots.”
He suggested that government agencies and implementing institutions should place greater emphasis on mentorship, entrepreneurship training, and financial literacy before disbursing funds.
According to Lwanga, helping young people understand budgeting, investment, and business management would significantly improve the effectiveness of youth empowerment programmes.
Education reforms deserve recognition
While highlighting the shortcomings he sees in the current system, Lwanga said he does not believe the government should shoulder all the blame.
Instead, he acknowledged recent efforts to reform Uganda’s education curriculum by encouraging students to develop practical and vocational skills alongside traditional academic studies.
However, he believes implementation remains a challenge.
“I wouldn’t want to blame the government so much because they have done some good work by revising the school curriculum and encouraging students to acquire practical skills while still in school. The only challenge is that the teachers were not adequately trained to implement it.”
According to Lwanga, strengthening teacher preparation would help ensure the revised curriculum achieves its intended impact.
Youth unemployment and entrepreneurship remain major topics in Uganda, with various government programmes established to provide financial support to young entrepreneurs and community groups.
Over the years, questions have frequently been raised about how effectively the funds are utilized and what measures can improve their long-term impact.
Lwanga’s comments add to the ongoing public conversation by shifting attention toward mentorship and capacity building rather than focusing solely on funding.
Why It Matters
Access to capital is only one part of building successful businesses.
Lwanga argues that financial literacy, mentorship, and entrepreneurship training are equally important if young people are expected to create sustainable livelihoods and grow the country’s economy.
His remarks also highlight the broader debate about improving the design and implementation of youth empowerment initiatives.
For many young Ugandans, receiving financial support can be a life-changing opportunity.
Lwanga believes those opportunities can have an even greater impact if beneficiaries are first given the confidence, skills, and guidance needed to make informed financial decisions.
Douglas Lwanga believes empowering young people requires more than funding alone. In his view, mentorship, financial education, and practical business training could make the difference between short-term spending and long-term success.