In a deliberate move to economically empower bouncers and promote self-employment among the youth, the government through the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) has launched a nationwide programme to support bouncers with income-generating tools and training.
This initiative, which also aims to cultivate a savings and investment culture among bouncers, kicked off last week in the Busoga sub-region.
Bouncer associations in the region received government support in the form of gym equipment worth Sh 20m each to enhance their fitness and create alternative income streams.
While handing over the equipment to the Kamuli Bouncers Association and the Eastern Bouncers Association, MSC Eastern Regional Manager, Francis Elwoku, said the support was part of a broader programme designed to empower youth who are engaged in bouncing services, many of whom lack access to formal employment.
“We realized that many young people were joining bouncer associations due to unemployment, yet they lacked professional support and training. Through this programme, we are providing gym equipment that they can use to generate income by charging community members for access. This not only boosts their income but also enhances their physical readiness for their security duties,” Elwoku said during the handover ceremony.
He added that before the associations are granted such support, their members undergo basic training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business management to ensure they make the most of the resources provided.
Bouncers, commonly known for their roles in maintaining order and security at nightclubs, concerts, bars, and private functions, often face limited career mobility and income security. This initiative, therefore, seeks to equip them with alternative economic avenues, reducing overreliance on bouncing and enhancing their long-term sustainability.
Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kamuli, John Robert Batambuze, welcomed the government’s initiative, emphasizing its potential to professionalize the bouncer community while enhancing local security.
“Bouncers play a crucial role in supplementing the work of formal security agencies. By empowering them economically and training them to operate professionally, we are not only supporting individual livelihoods but also strengthening our local security frameworks,” Batambuze noted.
He assured the bouncer associations that his office would continue monitoring the programme’s implementation to ensure that the equipment is used appropriately and sustainably.
“I urge every bouncer to join Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), especially the bouncers’ SACCO. This is an excellent way to improve your savings habits and prepare for a better financial future. Bouncing should not be seen as a permanent career take advantage of this support to invest in other productive businesses that will support you even in retirement,” he advised.
Batambuze further cautioned bouncers to uphold discipline in their line of duty and use their skills for the betterment of the community.
The President of the Uganda Bouncers Federation, Umar Bulega, also addressed the gathering, encouraging members to use the gym equipment effectively and responsibly.
“I urge you all to remain disciplined, use the skills you’ve acquired professionally, and respect the law. Avoid wearing security forces’ attire, which is illegal and could land you in trouble with the authorities,” Bulega warned.
He praised the government for recognizing bouncers as a critical part of the informal security workforce and called for more interventions to support their capacity building and welfare.
“This is the first time in a long while that bouncers are being recognized and supported in such a structured manner. We must seize this opportunity to demonstrate our potential and transform our lives. Let this equipment not just gather dust use it to work out, build your health, and support your communities,” Bulega added.
The gym equipment delivered includes weight sets, treadmills, fitness benches, resistance bands, punching bags, and stationary bicycles. These facilities will not only serve the bouncers but also be made available to community members at a fee, thereby creating a revenue stream for the associations.
The government, through MSC, plans to roll out similar support programmes to bouncer associations in other regions of the country, including Central, Western, Northern, and West Nile sub-regions. Each association will be assessed and supported based on its needs, readiness, and capacity to manage and sustain the equipment.
The broader aim of this initiative is to harness the potential of Uganda’s youth, particularly those operating in informal and under recognized sectors like bouncing, and channel their energy toward productive and sustainable economic activities.
As Uganda grapples with high youth unemployment rates, such initiatives offer hope and direction by addressing both income generation and professional development needs.
MSC has previously implemented similar empowerment programmes targeting youth, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans under its strategic plan to deepen financial inclusion and promote economic development through community-based approaches.