Why Most Ugandan Youth Stay Broke — And How to Break Free

By

 





By Yiga Moses — Glow With Yiga

“Being broke is not a curse. Staying broke without trying to grow — that’s the real problem.”

In Uganda, we are some of the most creative, hardworking youth in the world. But still, many of us stay stuck — broke, frustrated, and hopeless. I’ve lived that life. And I’ve learned one truth: It’s not lack of money that keeps us broke. It’s the way we think and act about money.

🧠 The Real Reasons Why Most Youth Stay Broke

1. Living for Today, Not Planning for Tomorrow

We love vibes. We want to enjoy. But we forget: if you eat all your seed, you won’t harvest anything later. Many youth spend every coin on data, clothes, or entertainment — and leave nothing for savings or learning.

2. Waiting for Capital Instead of Starting Small

We say, “I’ll start a business when I get 2M or 5M.” But real hustlers don’t wait — they start with what they have. I started with a chapati pan and saved 5k daily. That became my capital.

3. Depending on Others Instead of Building Ourselves

Some youth are stuck waiting for a sponsor, a rich uncle, or a "connection." But your breakthrough won’t come from others — it starts with discipline, focus, and vision.

4. Spending Before Saving

If you earn 20,000 UGX, save something first — don’t wait for “what remains.” Because usually, nothing remains. Create the habit of saving before spending. Even 2k daily is a seed.

5. No Skills, No Strategy

Without skills, money slips away. Learn something — Forex, blogging, digital tools, healthy hustle strategies. The world is changing. Jobs are few. But skills can feed you forever.

🔥 How to Break Free from the Cycle of Lack

✅ 1. Change Your Mindset

Stop saying “I’m broke” — start saying “I’m building.” Words shape your reality. Even if you have little, see it as seed — not suffering.

✅ 2. Start with What You Have

Sell airtime, bake snacks, start a chapati stall, teach a skill, post services online — the key is to start small but think long term.

✅ 3. Save Before You Spend

Create the habit of saving something — even on bad days. It builds trust with yourself and teaches financial discipline. That habit saved my life.

✅ 4. Learn Every Day

Every day, read something useful. Watch one smart video. Learn about online income, mobile money, Forex, or investing. Your future depends on your knowledge, not your past.

✅ 5. Trust God, But Work Too

Faith without effort is frustration. Pray, yes — but also plan, move, act. God multiplies effort, not laziness.

🙌🏽 You’re Not Lazy — You Just Need Direction

I believe many Ugandan youth are not lazy — just misled or stuck. If you’re reading this, it means you’re searching. That’s good. Let this blog give you direction.

Let me remind you: You are not a mistake. You are not useless. You are not too late.

You can still build something powerful from your little. You can still create something from nothing — if you start now.

🚀 Want to Know How I Did It?

I wrote everything in my free eBook: Start Small, Think Big.

  • How I saved 5,000 UGX daily from my chapati business
  • How I taught myself Forex and online work using just my phone
  • How I shifted my mindset from survival to strategy

👉 Click here to download the free PDF
📩 Or message me to receive it directly: mosesyiga8@gmail.com

#GlowWithYiga
#StartSmallThinkBig #SmartHustlerUG #BrokeNoMore #UgandaHustlesToo #MindsetMatters

Popular posts from this blog

How Ugandans Can Earn with Micro-Tasks (Remotasks, Swagbucks, Surveys)

By
Image
In a time where data bundles are everywhere and smartphones are in every pocket, making money online is no longer a dream, it's a real side hustle for smart Ugandans . If you’ve ever asked: “How can I earn money using just my phone?” “Is it possible to make UGX 50k to 350k without capital?” “I’m a student, hustler, or jobseeker… what online jobs can I do today?” Then micro-tasking could be your breakthrough. What Are Micro-Tasks? Micro-tasks are small online jobs you can complete quickly using your smartphone, tablet, or laptop . These tasks include: Watching videos Answering surveys Identifying images (AI training) Transcribing short audios Reviewing websites or apps Typing or voice-based tasks Each task may pay a small amount, but when you do them consistently, it adds up some, Ugandans are making between UGX 50,000 to UGX 350,000 per month just from micro-tasking during their free time.  Best Micro-Task Platforms for Ug...
Read more

Tech & AI Opportunities in Uganda; How to use AI tools for online work and small business growth.

By
Image
Mobile internet and AI are no longer just for big companies, they can help you grow income too. In Uganda, internet use has soared (from about 6% to 20% of people between 2016 and 2020), and operators are now helping even more Ugandans get smartphones on easy installments. This means anyone with a phone and data can start using smart tools. Across Africa, “even low-tech entrepreneurs are using chatbots in local languages, AI-assisted planning, and mobile outreach tools to grow their customer base”. In Uganda, for example, a young entrepreneur noted that learning to “leverage digital tools” helped her **grow her customer base, reaching more people beyond her immediate network”**. In short: the tech wave is coming to Uganda, and you can ride it with just a phone and a bit of curiosity. Anyone with a Phone Can Start Today You don’t need fancy equipment or a computer a basic smartphone with internet is enough. The official ChatGPT app for Android or iPhone is free and brings the powe...
Read more

Why Africa Remains Poor: The Harsh Reality and the Way Forward

By
Image
  Poverty in Africa is one of the most discussed topics around the globe. From the dusty rural villages to bustling cities, poverty continues to eat away at the dreams of millions of Africans, slow but sure. But why, despite Africa’s rich resources, culture, and creativity, are so many people still trapped in poverty? 1. Historical Burdens That Still Linger Colonialism stripped Africa of its wealth and left nations divided along artificial borders. Resources were extracted, people were exploited, and after independence, many countries inherited weak institutions and fragile economies. This historical weight still affects African development today. 2. Leadership and Governance Challenges While Africa has had great leaders, corruption and poor governance remain a major challenge. Mismanagement of public funds, lack of accountability, and policies that prioritize personal gain over public service have slowed development. Without strong leadership, even abundant re...
Read more

How Bodaboda Riders, Vendors & Chapati Guys Are Building the New Uganda

By
Image
They wake up before the sun. Some push carts. Some ride boda bodas through traffic jams and potholes. Some flip chapatis on street corners, their hands seasoned by fire and hustle. These are the everyday heroes of Uganda , the vendors, the boda riders, the chapati guys, who are silently but powerfully building the new face of our country. The Real Economy Is in the Streets Uganda’s economy doesn’t just run from tall buildings and air-conditioned boardrooms. It runs through the dusty roads of Kisekka, Owino, Katwe, and Nansana. It flows in small notes  500s, 1ks, 2ks  exchanged under umbrellas, from stalls, behind mobile money booths, and chapati stands. These informal workers make up over 60% of Uganda’s workforce . They may not be registered companies, but they feed families, pay school fees, build rentals, and even support relatives in the village. They Are Entrepreneurs in Disguise The boda guy who owns two motorcycles and hires riders? He’s a fleet ...
Read more

Online Earnings: How to Separate Legit Opportunities from Costly Scams.

By
Image
The internet has opened up countless ways to earn money from home, from freelance marketplaces to “get-paid-to” (GPT) apps. But along with real opportunities has come a flood of scams. In fact, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reports thousands of job‐scam complaints each year  over 16,000 in 2020 alone, with losses exceeding $59 million. Scammers often promise easy money or high hourly rates to lure in victims. To stay safe, you need to do your homework . In this guide we’ll explain how to vet a site or app before you commit time (or money) to it. Research the Company Behind the Offer Start by investigating the employer or platform itself: Official registration and history: Legitimate businesses are usually registered and have a verifiable history. Check government business registries (e.g. a Secretary of State database or local chamber of commerce) to confirm the company exists. For example, reputable platforms like Upwork and Fiverr have been publicly traded or...
Read more

Tired All the Time? Here’s What Helped Me Get My Energy Back

By
Image
  Do you wake up feeling tired, even after a full night's sleep? Are you chasing your dreams, hustling daily, running a business, trading online but your energy is always low? That used to be me. I’m a proud Ugandan hustler  I run a chapati business, trade forex, and build online platforms like Glow With Yiga . But behind the grind, my body was suffering. I felt weak, foggy, and frustrated. 💡 The Natural Energy Booster That Changed My Life One day, I came across a powerful natural wellness supplement from TruWild. It’s made for active people like us the kind who work hard, push themselves, and don’t have time to waste. ✅ 100% natural ingredients ✅ Boosts energy without sugar or caffeine crashes ✅ Supports mental focus and body recovery ✅ Easy to use daily even on a tight schedule 🌿 Try It Here - TruWild Wellness Booster 🔋 What Happened When I Started Using It After just a few days: I stopped feeling sleepy in the afternoon ...
Read more

Why Primary Schools Should Teach Children About Money?

By
Image
  When we were young, many of us learned money the hard way trial, error, and a few painful mistakes. Imagine a Uganda where children grow up fluent in saving, budgeting, and smart earning . That begins in Primary School . This guide explains why money education matters, what to teach at each level, and how schools, parents, and communities can make it real — starting now. Money Is a Life Skill Not Just Numbers Children study math, English, and science. But day-to-day life is powered by decisions like “Should I save or spend?” “Is this a need or a want?” “How can I grow my money safely?” Money lessons help children build confidence, discipline, and vision. A Primary Four pupil who learns to set aside 500 UGX from pocket money will reach secondary school already practicing healthy habits. Big Idea Teaching money early protects children from future debt traps and builds a culture ...
Read more

Spiro E-Bikes — A Real Chance for Boda Riders and Hustlers to Earn More

By
Image
  A deep, honest guide for riders, vendors and young hustlers who want to cut costs, ride cleaner, and grow their income with electric boda bodas. Electric boda: less fuel, less stress, more profit — one swap at a time.  Why This Matters to Every Hustler If you earn with a motorcycle in Uganda  as a boda rider, delivery person, or mobile vendor  you know the pain of rising fuel costs, endless maintenance, and lost hours. Spiro electric motorcycles and battery-swap networks are changing that story. This is not a fancy trend for big cities only  it is a practical tool for the everyday hustler to save money, do more trips, and keep more of the money they earn. What Is Spiro and How Does It Work? Spiro builds electric motorcycles designed for African roads and supports them with battery-swap stations. Instead of waiting hours to charge, riders swap a used battery for a charged one in minutes  and ...
Read more

5 Habits That Are Slowly Changing My Life

By
Image
Life doesn’t change overnight. It changes slowly — through small, consistent actions. I’m not perfect, but I’ve started doing a few things every day that are slowly transforming how I think, feel, and grow. Here are 5 habits that are helping me glow up — not just outside, but from the inside. --- 🌅 1. Waking Up Early (Before 6:30 AM) There’s something powerful about starting your day before the noise begins. You think better. You pray better. You plan better. Even 30 minutes earlier makes a difference. > When you win your morning, you win your day. --- 🧠 2. Feeding My Mind with Positivity I’ve started replacing random scrolling with motivation. I listen to podcasts, read a chapter of a book, or watch short motivational videos on TikTok or YouTube. > Garbage in, garbage out. Greatness in, greatness out. --- 📓 3. Journaling My Thoughts Writing down how I feel — even for 5 minutes — helps clear my head. I note down: What I’m grateful for 🙏 What I’m stressed about 😔 My goals ...
Read more

What Makes One Person Rich and Another Poor? A Hustler’s Honest Guide

By
Image
   Real talk for young hustlers: the difference between rich and poor is smaller than you think and bigger than you want to admit. This is practical — not theory. Start small. Think big. Choose habits that build wealth. — Glow With Yiga  A Truth I Tell Every Hustler I started with a frying pan and 5,000 UGX saved each day. Some days it felt small. Some days it felt impossible. Yet today I can say this with confidence: being rich or poor is less about luck and more about choices, habits, and the systems you build around your life. This post is for the person who wants to change those choices, for good. The Big Picture — Wealth Is Not Only Money When I say “rich,” I don’t only mean bank balance. Richness includes freedom, options, health, time with family, and the ability to invest. Poverty is not just lack of cash, it’s lack of options and the stress that eats your decisions. So how do some people climb while...
Read more
WhatsApp