During his inaugural speech at this year's State of the Nation Address, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, introduced the new term of office branded "Kisanja No Sleep" and emphasized the need for leaders to return to their communities and actively support the socio-economic transformation of the people.
In line with this call, Senior Commissioner of Prisons Frank Baine, in charge of Cooperation and Corporate Affairs, conducted a community engagement program with female leaders and spouses of prison staff at Luzira Prisons Complex.
The engagement focused on empowering families to improve their livelihoods through government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), which aims to move households from subsistence to wealth creation.
Mr. Baine explained the benefits of the PDM and encouraged participants to take advantage of the opportunities provided by government programs. He noted that many prison communities have already benefited from the initiative through livestock rearing, crop production, and other income-generating activities.
He urged the women to remain focused, trust government programs, and avoid overdependence on their husbands' salaries. Instead, he encouraged them to engage in productive activities that can increase household income and improve family welfare.
The participants were called upon to join SACCO groups within the prison barracks to strengthen savings, access financial support and promote social cohesion among families.
Emphasizing the importance of mindset change, Mr. Baine encouraged the women to believe in themselves, identify opportunities around them, and work towards becoming better versions of themselves. He also advised parents to invest in their children's education and welfare while encouraging those above the age of 18 to engage in meaningful work.
On financial management, he highlighted the importance of saving, investment, budgeting, and proper planning regardless of income levels. He cautioned participants against living beyond their means, believing in money miracles, and becoming "universal donors" at the expense of their financial stability.
Mr. Baine further urged the women to prioritize their health, noting that healthy families are better positioned to participate in economic activities and achieve sustainable development.
The engagement forms part of the Uganda Prisons Service's broader efforts to support staff welfare, strengthen household incomes, and contribute to the government's agenda of socio-economic transformation.
