Politics of financing youth businesses under the Youth Livelihood Programme: the case study of Kampala District, Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the politics of financing youth businesses under the Youth Livelihood Programme: The Case of Kampala District, Uganda. More particularly, the study aimed at assessing the inclusion or exclusion of the youth in the decision-making process; scrutinizing the financing of youth businesses and its impact on the kind of business created by the programme; examining the gender friendliness or unfriendliness of the youth businesses priorities for funding under the Youth Livelihood Programme. Literature was reviewed in accordance with the study objectives and the different themes like neo-patrimonialism. A case study research design was used and qualitative methods of data analysis were applied to get a deeper understanding of the topic under study. The area of the study was Kampala District, specifically in the Divisions of Kampala Central, Nakawa and Kawempe. The study population consisted of the Officials in charge of the Youth Livelihood Programme as well as the youth groups. The methods for collecting data included focused group discussions and interviews. The findings of the study indicate that the youths are not included in all the processes of decision-making. They only participate in the early stages of mobilization; group formation; picking and filling of project interest forms and beneficiary selection. They later participate in the stage of opening up of bank accounts, training and implementation. The study found that the youth are excluded in some stages of decision making carried out at the Division level, District level and at the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social development to allow the technical personnel or expert analyse the viability of youth businesses. On a positive note, the study indicates that the financing of youth businesses is on merit and the criteria used for selection of youth beneficiaries are adhered to. The study further reveals that businesses owned by only men are not prioritized for funding while those owned by only women are highly prioritized. The study also found that the challenges faced by the youth in the decision-making processes: decisions made by the youth are not heard. From the study, it also emerges that vocational businesses such as metal fabrication and carpentry are highly prioritized for funding by the programme. As recommendations, the study suggests continuous sensitization of the youth to participate in decision making; capacity building programmes to enable the youth manage their businesses and constant monitoring of youth businesses to ensure they are gender friendly. Key words: Youth businesses, politics of financing, youth businesses, Youth Livelihood Programme