Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, has launched a major agricultural and youth empowerment initiative in Lira City, starting with the distribution of hoes and other farming tools to residents.
The program is designed to support urban and peri-urban farming as well as vocational training for unemployed youth.
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Minister Amongi explained that the initiative responds to the unique structure of Lira City, like other rapidly urbanizing centers such as Mbarara and Mbale City that is incorporating numerous rural sub-counties and parishes into its administrative boundaries. According to Hon. Amongi, over 60% of Lira City’s population is still actively engaged in agriculture.
“This city may be urban in name, but in character, it still relies heavily on agriculture,” Amongi said. “We are distributing hoes, seeds, and tractors to empower residents to practice modern urban farming. We’re also offering training and connecting farmers to markets, including maize buyers in Kenya and organizations like the World Food Programme.”
Amongi emphasized that the initiative is not just about farming but also about long-term stability and economic empowerment.
Recognizing the high youth unemployment rate in Lira, she has also launched skilling programs in tailoring, salon work, mechanics, welding, and IT repair, including mobile phone and electronics maintenance.
“A large number of our youth are either school dropouts, orphans, or migrants from other districts who lack support. Many young women are also young mothers and cannot return to school. These are the youth we are targeting with skilling and startup equipment,” she said.
The minister stressed that addressing youth unemployment is not just a development goal, but a matter of city security. “Idle youth with no income become vulnerable to crime. If we don’t intervene, we risk instability. But if we give them tools, training, and hope, we’ll have a safer, more productive city,” she added.
Amongi also revealed ongoing engagement with street youth leaders, noting that they have already selected the skills they want to pursue under her programs.
As she continues to scale up these efforts across the city’s peri-urban areas, the minister reaffirmed her commitment to transforming Lira City into a model of inclusive urban development, where agriculture, innovation, and youth empowerment go hand in hand.
ENDS
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