LIRA: CBOs urged to mobilise locals to embrace poverty eradication initiatives

LIRA, November 11, 2025 — Community-Based Organisations [CBOs] operating in Lira district have been urged to mobilise local residents to embrace government progrmmes aimed at eradicating household poverty.

Some of the CBOs involved in community development programmes in Lira district include Athena Girls Innovation Compound, Global Children Uganda, and Cots Foundation Uganda.

The appeal was made by Theopista Aceng, the Community Development Officer for Agweng Town Council and Ayami Sub-county in Lira district, during a recent joint district coordination meeting held at the district chambers.

Aceng highlighted that key government initiatives such as the Youth Livelihood Programme [YLP], the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme [UWEP], Operation Wealth Creation [OWC], and the Parish Development Model [PDM] are vital tools in eradicating household poverty.

She called on the CBOs in Lira district to play a greater role in mobilising community members to benefit from government programmes, warning that unutilised funds risk being returned to the national treasury.

“We have several government programmes that can benefit local people, such as UWEP and YLP,” Aceng said. “Help us mobilise young girls, boys, and vulnerable women to take advantage of these government-funded initiatives. We must work closely together to ensure the money benefits our people rather than being sent back to the treasury at the end of the financial year.”

Aceng further stressed the importance of a positive mindset among beneficiaries, urging them to use the funds for income-generating ventures that can sustain livelihoods and allow for loan repayments.

“Many youth, and women think the money they receive is a free handout and end up misusing it. Some divert it to unplanned activities or spend it on personal items such as clothes,” she said. “I appeal to the CBOs in Lira district to help us ensure that beneficiaries adopt a productive mindset and engage in meaningful economic activities.”

Oliver Akello, the Project Coordinator of the Lira Adolescent Girl Power Programme Cluster operating in Agweng and Aromo sub-counties, said they are using established “safe spaces” to encourage girls and young mothers to join government poverty eradication schemes.

“We have 306 adolescent girls and young mothers whom we have advised and mobilised to embrace government programmes that fund income-generating activities,” Akello noted.

Meanwhile, Ronald Olao, the Lira District Coordinator for YLP and UWEP, reported that interest in the programmes is growing, but available funds are currently limited due to delays in disbursements from the central government.

“At the moment, the district is relying on recoveries from youth groups that initially received YLP funds,” Olao explained. “There are no new funds from the central government yet, so we are revolving the recovered money to benefit new applicants.”

Regarding UWEP, Olao added that several project proposals have been approved at the district level and are awaiting submission to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development [MGLSD], under which both UWEP and YLP fall.

Other government initiatives aimed at promoting financial empowerment include the Social Assistance Grant for the Empowerment [SAGE] and the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons [SEGOP], among others.

The CBOs in Lira district play a vital role in community development by acting as grassroots organisations that empower local communities and address local issues. Among others, their roles include providing essential social services like schools and health centres, mobilising resources for income-generating activities, promoting community participation in governance, and enhancing welfare for vulnerable groups.

https://thecooperator.news/lira-city-painters-urged-to-embrace-government-programmes/

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