President Yoweri Museveni has pledged ug.ShsBn for the new SACCO of Ugandans who were forced out of South Africa and have since returned home and undergone orientation at at the Naali National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi District..
The President also gave the adult returnees Ug.Shs. 2m each to help them resettle in their respective communities and rebuild their lives by engaging in income-generating projects.
Meveni told returnees to take advantage of opportunities in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and information and communications technology.
“Today in Kyankwanzi, I met Ugandans who returned from South Africa. I reiterated that the NRM has consistently fought poverty through education, wealth creation and job creation,” Museveni said in a statement after the meeting.
He added that the government would continue supporting the returnees’ reintegration, including strengthening their SACCO to enable members access capital for productive enterprises.
“I also appealed to Ugandans working abroad under difficult conditions to return home and seize the opportunities available here,” he said.
The President condemned xenophobia against Africans living in other African countries, recalling Uganda’s contribution to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
“Uganda stood with South Africa during the struggle against apartheid, and we cannot accept the notion that fellow Africans are ‘xenos’ in Africa,” Museveni said.
He also conveyed condolences to the families of three Ugandans who lost their lives in South Africa.
The returnees have been undergoing patriotism, ideological orientation and rehabilitation training at Nali Kyankwanzi as part of the Government’s programme to prepare them for reintegration and economic empowerment.
