TAKEAWAYS

• Billy Kasodde Katumba says the Kyankwanzi programme focused on rehabilitating Ugandans repatriated from South Africa.
• He dismissed claims of political indoctrination, saying he remains an NUP supporter despite attending the programme.
• Kasode praised the government for supporting returnees, including Shs2 million per person and Shs2 billion for their SACCO.

Veteran musician Billy Kasodde Katumba has defended the government’s decision to take Ugandans repatriated from South Africa to the National Leadership Institute (NALI) Kyankwanzi following their return home.

The initiative came after a number of Ugandans were evacuated from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks. Upon arrival, they were taken to NALI Kyankwanzi, a move that sparked public debate, with some critics alleging the government intended to politically indoctrinate the returnees or recruit them into the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Kasodde, however, dismissed those claims, saying the programme was focused on rehabilitation rather than politics.

“At first, we also didn’t know why we were being taken there. But later we realised it was for our own good. Many people returned with nothing, and some had even spent most of their lives in South Africa without knowing where to begin again in Uganda,” Kasodde said.

According to the singer, the training centre provided accommodation, food, guidance and support that helped many returnees rebuild their lives after arriving home with little or nothing.

He added that some repatriated Ugandans had no immediate relatives to turn to and could easily have ended up homeless had they been released immediately after landing.

“I support NUP, and nobody at Kyankwanzi ever told me to change my political beliefs. What happened there was rehabilitation, not political indoctrination. I appreciate the government for giving us a chance to restart our lives,” he added.

Meanwhile President Yoweri Museveni also later extended financial support to the returnees by providing Shs2 billion to their SACCO. Apparently each repatriated Ugandan also received Shs2 million to help them return to their respective homes and begin rebuilding their livelihoods.

The Nzikiriza singer’s remarks offer a different perspective on a programme that has remained the subject of public and political debate.