By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Youth League has rejected with disdain the government’s International Youth Day celebrations, labeling them a “sham” and a “blatant mockery” of the country’s youth.
In an interview with Parrots UG, FDC Youth League National Chairman Francis Adepo condemned the government’s attempts to feign concern for the youth, citing a litany of failures and broken promises.
“Youth unemployment stands at over 70%, with many young people forced to resort to menial jobs or even crime to survive for example in Eastern districts like Kumi idle youth have resorted to looting, earning them the nickname “Ikook” (termites),” Adepo said. “The government’s much-touted programs like the Youth Livelihood Fund and Emyooga have failed to deliver, leaving our youth without economic empowerment.”
The FDC Youth League also accused the government of monetizing politics, exploiting young people for political gain, and suppressing their freedoms.
“The National Youth Council and Uganda National Students’ Association, meant to serve youth interests, have been compromised and reduced to mere appendages of the ruling party,” Adepo added.
The FDC Youth League has announced plans to hold protests across the country, demanding a better future for Uganda’s youth.
“The FDC Youth League, will not be hoodwinked by empty rhetoric and tokenistic gestures. Instead, we will convene in our respective localities to protest the stagnant state of our nation, condemn systemic oppression, and reiterate our unwavering demand for a better future” said Adepo. “We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. We will rise up against the status quo and fight for our rights, freedoms, and opportunities,” Francis declared.
The youth have been called upon to join their quest for a new Uganda, promising a future with quality education and healthcare, democratized political participation, and eradicated corruption.
Today, Uganda joins the rest of the world to celebrate the International Youth Day. The national celebration themed “skills development for enhancement of youth opportunities” is taking place at Soroti Core PTC Asuret sub-county, Soroto district.
Last week on Wednesday, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) National Youth Leader, Dan Isimbwa criticized the government for neglecting the country’s youth, who constitute the majority of the population. According to Isimbwa, the government of Uganda down looks the power of the youth in effecting change in their country and warned of potentially dire consequences if the government continues to overlook this critical demographic.
