Amongi promises economic empowerment for Lira City

Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Betty Amongi has pledged to focus on economic transformation in Lira City through income-generating activities, affordable credit, and the establishment of an industrial park if re-elected as the City Woman Member of Parliament.

Speaking to hundreds of supporters at the former Akii Bua Stadium in Lira City following her nomination days ago, Amongi the Uganda People’s Congress flagbearer said her development agenda aims to fight urban poverty and promote inclusive growth.

“I need this City to be an inclusive City where everyone is economically empowered and doing business to afford money to meet their basic needs such as paying school fees and medical bills,” she said.

 She noted that, in addition to existing government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), she will focus on providing vocational skills training for youth and equipping them with startup tools.

“As I talk now, I have trained vulnerable girls in tailoring and garment design, and soon I will introduce carpentry and joinery, blocklaying, and concrete practice. This will help them generate income and become job creators,” she noted.

 The Oyam South MP revealed that she has already introduced affordable loan facilities with a low 10% annual interest rate to help small business owner access capital.

“Like in a year, if you borrow sh1 million, you will pay after one year with only sh100,000,” she explained.

 Amongi also emphasized the need to boost agricultural productivity in the peri-urban areas of Lira City, noting that many residents own land that can be used for urban farming.

“We should promote urban farming because this City has so many people with different activities to earn a living,” she said.

Lira City West Division MP Soderick Vincent Obong pledged to continue advocating for an increase in funding for the Parish Development Model (PDM) in every parish across the country in the 12th Parliament.

 He said the programme is effective because it targets the “last man in the village,” but noted that the demand for the funds remains very high.