- +256 414 273 600
- info@kf.or.ug
- Bulange Building, Mengo (Kabakanjagala Rd)
KF-Economic Development Support Programs
Kabaka foundation (kf) economic development support programs
Uganda’s economy was deeply affected by post-independence political turmoil until 1987 when successful economic recovery programs were implemented to reverse the poor economic performance. These reforms led to the liberalization of the economy. While this partially improved the functioning of the economy, it also exposed vulnerable communities to exploitation by the private sector, especially those who lacked the means to participate in the private sector-led economic growth.
At the turn of the millennium, uganda, along with other countries in the world, committed to the millennium development goals (mdgs) for sustainable development. One of these commitments was the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by 2015. Although uganda has made remarkable strides in reducing extreme poverty (from 56% in 1992 to 24.5% in 2011) and providing universal primary education, concerns persist regarding income distribution and the quality of education and health services provided. The high economic growth averaging 8% over the past decade has not been felt by the masses at the grassroots level.
Even when the government attempted to direct efforts towards developing the common man, some government officials instead misappropriated funds meant for such programs, leaving local citizens struggling to survive. It is against this backdrop that the kf voluntarily assumed responsibility to stimulate the creation of new local economic opportunities and improve the quality of life.
Kabaka Foundation Commitment to Economic Development
Economic sustainability is at the heart of kf under its objective of alleviating poverty, sickness, and distress and improving the living conditions of children, women, the disadvantaged, and the disabled. The livelihood and economic development programs address the broad-based economic development needs of communities across the buganda kingdom in a way that creates new livelihood opportunities and improves the adaptation and resilience of communities. Through the program, kf empowers the most vulnerable persons in the community, especially children off the streets, youths, and women, to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to secure a livelihood to enable them to support their families and break the inter-generational cycle of poverty.
Kf has supported six community-based organizations across the kingdom, reaching out to different vulnerable groups, including children, youth, women, and people with disabilities. This support has helped enhance and streamline community-led development initiatives through capacity building for poverty alleviation and social equity.
Kf youth development program
Uganda’s population is currently projected at 34 million people, with youths (aged between 15-35 years) constituting more than half of this population. It is also noted that the number of educated youths has greatly increased over time, with literacy levels now exceeding 68%. Despite the increasing literacy levels and many youths graduating from different tertiary institutions and universities, graduate unemployment and underemployment have emerged as new socio-economic challenges among the youth in uganda today. This challenge has imposed a dual cost on society: rendering the would-be productive labor force idle and causing parents to lose property as they sacrifice their meager resources to educate their children who finish school without employment.
Kf's commitment to empowering the youths in buganda kingdom
His majesty the kabaka has always emphasized that the future of buganda and uganda rests on the plight of the youth. In line with this, kf decided to strengthen its involvement and investments in buganda youth. This led to the birth of the kf youth supported program in 2005, targeting youth development. This program was conceived as core to generational transitions among kabaka’s subjects in all spheres of life, including leadership, accountability, and participation in national development.
Kf youth programs mainly focus on supporting life and vocational skills development, youth-led entrepreneurship, and employment creation. Kf invites different youth groups from the 18 counties of buganda at the grassroots level into partnership to deliver support to their development-oriented efforts within the kingdom.
Making a difference with kabaka foundation
Kf continues to make a difference among baganda youths and has worked with over 50 community-based youth groups within six years of the program’s existence. This has been achieved through collaboration with various youth networks in the kingdom, such as nkobazambogo, bangawa, akalibakendo, and the buganda youth council. These associations have played a paramount role in mobilizing youth in the kingdom, both at the county and sub-county levels, into kf-funded youth projects. Youths have established revolving funds, small-scale and micro-income projects like poultry farming, dairy farming, consultancy, welding workshops, among others. These projects have provided quick employment to youths after school and have developed their entrepreneurial skills. Kf is hopeful that with increased funding, the spillover effect of youth projects will gradually offset the high levels of poverty and deprivation in which many people lived before this program.
How to participate under kf youth development program
As a grant-making organization, kf welcomes proposals from different youth groups in the kingdom throughout the year. Proposals can be addressed to kf offices at bulange mengo at any time or upon advertisement in the media.