HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I President Yoweri Museveni has pledged up to Shs2 billion to support a savings and credit cooperative society (SACCO) for private security guards, drawing renewed attention to the persistently low incomes earned by one of Uganda’s most underpaid categories of workers.
The pledge, aimed at improving the welfare of private security guards, was delivered through the President’s senior presidential adviser on political affairs, Moses Byaruhanga. The intervention is anchored in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto, which commits government to expanding the Emyooga wealth-creation programme to include private security personnel.
The revelation was made on January 3 during a meeting held at Kitante Primary School auditorium in Kampala, organised by State House officials. The gathering brought together more than 600 participants, including guards, senior officers and directors from private security firms.
Byaruhanga said the government recognises that private security guards earn modest and often insufficient salaries, making it difficult for them to meet basic household needs. He noted that many guards work long hours under challenging conditions but remain trapped in low-income cycles, with little opportunity to save or invest.
“These people earn small salaries and need support to start side businesses that can supplement their household incomes,” Byaruhanga said. Under the proposed arrangement, either the guard or their spouse would be able to access loans from the SACCO to start small income-generating enterprises.
He explained that government is considering funding the SACCO with between Shs1 billion and Shs2 billion, which would be disbursed in line with established guidelines. “We said in our manifesto that among the Emyooga funds, we shall add one specifically for private security guards,” he said. “They have requested money, and the process is now underway.”
Beyond access to affordable credit, government is also reviewing tax-related concerns affecting the sector, which further erode the already low incomes of guards. Byaruhanga cited complaints about an alleged Shs5,000 monthly charge per guard levied by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). If confirmed, he said, the levy would be scrapped.
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