Youth in Masaka District have reminded President Museveni of a Shs 450 million pledge he made two years ago to support their coffee farming initiative, saying the commitment has yet to be fulfilled.

The appeal comes ahead of President Museveni's expected campaign visit to Masaka City and Masaka District today as part of his countrywide tour in the lead-up to the general elections.

The youth belong to Bukoto Central Youth Link, a cooperative association that brings together more than 1,000 youth and women coffee farmers across Masaka District. The group was formed to improve household incomes through organised coffee production and value addition.

According to the group's leaders, President Museveni made the pledge in 2023 during his visit to Greater Masaka, where he toured farmers and livestock keepers. The funds were meant to strengthen the association's operations, including boosting its revolving loan scheme, purchasing a vehicle to transport coffee, and acquiring a modern coffee processing machine to improve the quality and market value of their produce.

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However, the youth say that despite several follow-ups with different government offices, the pledged funds have never been released.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the association's secretary, Robert Kasaga, and chairperson, Julius Kanamwangi, said the support would significantly enhance productivity and create sustainable employment opportunities for young people in the district.

"We organised ourselves in line with the government's call for wealth creation, but the promised support has not reached us," Kasaga said.

The youth expressed hope that President Museveni's return to Masaka will provide an opportunity to revisit the pledge and address the challenges facing organised farmer groups in the region.