By Charles katabalwa,
KAMPALA
Ugandan government has been challenged to increase the number of young people in lower governing offices to ensure that their needs and concerns are addressed.
This was sounded by Munir Safieldin, the Representative of UNICEF in Uganda, during a one day skills for the future symposium 2024 for the youths organized by Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development (MGLSD) in conjunction with Private Sector Foundation (PSF) and UNICEF at Sharing Hall Nsambya on Tuesday.
Youth in Uganda are the youngest population in the world, with 77% of its population being under 25 years of age. There are 7,310,386 youth from the ages of 15–24 years of age living in Uganda.
Munir Stressed that young people make up a significant proportion of the population and are critical to the country’s future noting that empowering them to participate in governance would enable them to access essential services, such as healthcare, education, and protection.
According to Safieldin, while the government’s efforts to empower young Ugandans to take part in the political process, including holding positions like MPs and Ministers, are praiseworthy, there is still a significant gap in representation at the grassroots level.
“Youths you must embrace self skills to create own jobs for better future” safieldin urged.
Barnard Mujuni, Commissioner for Equity and Rights of Vulnerable Persons at MGLSD, who represented the Permanent Secretary, encouraged youths to speak out against corrupt officials who solicit bribes for jobs or services. He promised that reporting such incidents would facilitate greater access to government services for young people.
“Government has plans for youths but are being misused by corrupt officials who want kickbacks from the youths to give them services, so you should report them as the president recently said while at Kyankwazi”, said Mujuni.
The symposium was organized under the theme; Young people Navigate the 21st century and held at Nsambya Sharing youth center.
