National Celebrations to mark the International Youth Day in Uganda

Kampala/Dar es Salaam (ILO News) On 12th August 2018, Uganda, joined the rest of the world to mark the International Youth Day at Kampiringisa Youth Rehabilitation Centre, Mpigi District. The occasion with the theme “Safe spaces for the youth” was officiated by H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, and brought together youths, civic, religious, political leaders, including bi-lateral and multi-lateral organizations. The occasion was also attended by representatives from UNDP, ILO, WHO and UNHCR.

The day reflects on the need for inclusion of youth in decision making processes and participation in the national development activities.

In his official remarks, Hon. Museveni expressed the need for the establishment of a fund within the national budget framework that will support extension of financial credit and equipment to youth in order to increase coverage of youth-led enterprises. He advised the youth entrepreneurs to focus more on the value addition for commodities such as cassava, sorghum, maize and leather that will help to off-set the balance of trade deficits.

The President noted the high import expenditures on inputs for pharmaceuticals (e.g. starch and sugar) that would have otherwise been produced and processed to the required industrial standard and purchased locally by the pharmaceutical companies. He further advised the youth to access the available training and skills programmes that will enable them to create self-employment.

“… The government is committed to supporting the youth through several interventions intended to improve their livelihood and meaningful participation in national development such as Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) which is designed to empower the youth to harness their socio-economic potential to increase self-employment, opportunities…” he said .

During the occasion, the President launched the Uganda Green Incubation Centre based on the Songhai model (at Kampiringisa) that interlinks different agro-based production activities including poultry, fishing, animal husbandry and crop production.

In her remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Rosa Malango, described the Songhai model pilot project, supported by UNDP, as an integrated agricultural production system that seeks to address the problems of poverty, unemployment and food security by strengthening community capacities to produce efficiently and sustainably.

“…The model contributes to increased food security, conserving the environment and increased household income... we therefore urge the Government to scale up the model to other districts in Uganda…” she added.

The National Youth Council Chairperson, Ms. Lillian Aber, in her remarks, outlined a number of challenges faced by the youth including high unemployment levels due to inadequate skills and skills-mismatch, inadequate integration of practical skills into the current education curricula, limited skills and capital for youth to engage in productive economic activities and inadequate budgets to mobilise youth to engage in meaningful economic activities.

The International Youth Day, served as an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change and an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges and problems facing the youth in Uganda. The occasion also brought youth issues to the attention of the international community and other national stakeholders such as the legislative and executive leaders of the country.