By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
A rainbow of positivity hovered around the Youth Dialogue as African Youth Development Link (AYDL) engaged the youth from different political parties to discuss the youth participation in the 2026 general elections at Hotel Africana on Tuesday.
Youth challenges, until recently were less addressed but people from different walks of life including politicians, economists, and other professionals displayed in unison that youth challenges is not a song – to be switched on and off – but a platform where the best results can be achieved when both hands are used to clap.
Julius Mucunguzi, spokesperson of the Electoral Commission acknowledged on Tuesday that the youth are facing significant challenges such as unemployment , job insecurity and yet there is no help. He said the situation is a temptation to feel hopelessness in the face of adversity, but he cautioned that losing hope can lead to desperation, causing individuals to engage in illegal and unconditional activities.
“The situations we are facing including unemployment, jobs and all that, there is a temptation to feel that all is lost. But, I want to tell you that all is not lost because the moment we lose hope that things can improve and get better, then we become desperate and in the process we find ourselves engaging in things that are illegal and not constitutional,” Mucunguzi cautioned.
Mucunguzi’s remarks come at a time when millions of the young people in Uganda most of them University graduates are uncertain about their future due to high-level of unemployment, limited job opportunities and unfair political atmosphere in the country. Many of these youth have turned into victims of modern slavery in the Middle East while others have taken to streets to protest against the status quo. The youth accuse government of shielding corruption, practicing open discrimination and favouritism during employment into the public service among others.
Speaker after speaker, the young people were implored to engage in dialogues that empower them to work towards creating positive change in their lives and communities. They were also cautioned against being exploited by self-seeking politicians who argue that the youth constitute the largest percentage of the population with intentions to lure them into violence, instead of encouraging them to engage in dialogue and activities that are significant in shaping a better future for Uganda.
“It’s not just about the numbers, but what’s in those numbers,” Mucunguzi said. “We need to add value to our numbers by engaging in meaningful dialogue, building discipline, and seeking solutions to our challenges.”
