KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has proposed establishing a government revolving fund and common-user facilities to support mechanics operating in the capital.
Museveni made the proposal Sunday while meeting mechanics from Kampala’s five divisions at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. He urged them to organize into division-based groups to access support through a fund model similar to the Parish Development Model.
“The division is not too big. People can come to the division. So, there you can go and you get your 4 million (shillings) for the personal tools, 700,000 for the whatever,” Museveni said. He added that while an initially proposed 100 million shillings per group may be inadequate, the government is open to increasing the allocation. “I agree that the 100 million is small. You can add on,” he said.
Museveni emphasized that his engagement with the mechanics was undertaken in his capacity as President, not as the National Resistance Movement candidate who is seeking reelection.
“That’s why I came here today as president of Uganda, not as a candidate,” he said. Under the proposed arrangement, mechanics within a division would form a single borrowing circle, access funds to purchase tools, pay back, and allow the fund to revolve.
Museveni said the allocation could be increased to Shs300 million per division and further expanded in subsequent budgets after the elections.
“At the end of the year, you pay back,” he explained, adding that more resources could be injected once repayment structures are demonstrated to work.
The President also outlined a second intervention focusing on land and infrastructure. He said government would identify and acquire land on which common user facilities and heavy machinery would be installed.
“The land should remain government land. And the machines we put there should remain government property,” Museveni said, noting that the facilities would be managed by leadership structures agreed upon by the mechanics.
He said the model had already worked under PDM and could be replicated across other sectors.
During the meeting, Siraj Angoligo proposed that large and expensive equipment remain under government control, while individual mechanics receive personal tools.
Similarly, Sulaiman Abdallah from Wabigalo zone said if government allocates land, the big machines should remain under government supervision through the Resident City Commissioners.
Abdallah also raised concerns over land previously allocated to mechanics in Wabigalo, alleging that a one Muluwoza Kayondo is attempting to grab it.
Moses Kayiira of Kayiira Motors in Katwe II reminded the President of their earlier interaction in 2021, saying he once drove Museveni in his locally made vehicle Kayira 1 and has on to produce Kayira
He however, noted that he had never recieved any of the support, the President promised him 2021.
On his part, Yasin Mayambala from Bombo said many mechanics have viable businesses but lack access to capital. He appreciated existing government programs aimed at poverty reduction but advised that machines should not be managed through political party structures. He proposed that mechanics elect their own leaders to oversee the equipment.
Several participants also appealed for the introduction of a health insurance scheme for mechanics, arguing that their incomes are low and unstable. Others requested government support in acquiring land, citing frequent evictions from their work premises.
Museveni further pledged to establish a special fund for women working in garages and another targeted at commercial sex workers to help them abandon the practice.
“I cannot provide them with money to continue with the practice that would endanger their lives and lead to their death,” he said.
The President also promised to extend the same support programmes to Wakiso and Mukono districts.
President Museveni has also said government would study the proposals, including health insurance, while emphasizing the importance of preventive healthcare measures. He reiterated his commitment to supporting mechanics and other artisans, provided that they organize themselves effectively and uphold accountability in managing public resources.
