Youth must define their own destiny
Referred to by Winston Churchill as the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda, is a magnificent country endowed with exceptional natural resources and energetic population, which has been poorly governed for the last 32 years. The mismanagement of natural resources much as its worrying, can be ignored. However, the misgovernance of young people poses serious threat to the future of the nation.
More than 78 per cent of Uganda’s population is below 35 years and 55 per cent are children. About one third of the country’s youth are either unemployed or underemployed. This situation is likely to worsen as more young people complete post-primary education and are released onto the job market, yet the economy can only absorb about 15 per cent of them. A 2017 report from the Ministry of Education indicate that 84 per cent of graduates have no jobs.
The quality of education constitutes another challenge.
A citizen’s learning assessment conducted annually by Uwezo, showed that while more children are accessing education, very few are learning. Dropout rates are high with limited or no fallback position for alternative skilling and livelihoods.
The young people are paying heavily for the poor governance of the country. And they have become victims of the same.
Instead of the government addressing the plight of young people through a robust legal, institutional and policy frameworks, it has resorted to a patronised and politically motivated initiatives and programmes. However, these are unsustainable and regressive approaches that is further crippling young people’s potential to meaningfully contribute to national development agenda. Many young people have been absorbed in degrading jobs such pining up politicians’ posters in places and sometimes rewarded with alcohol for their service.
As the Bible says, “You reap what you sow.” Young people in Uganda have finally realised their potential amid the many challenges they face. Thus, the question young people, many of whom are victims of the bad governance, gets more complex by the day.
Many of these young people have little to loose or protect hence they can do anything in the quest to improve their lives. Besides, their urge to try and shape the democratic governance system in Uganda is real.
As general elections in 2021 approaches, focus is turning towards young people. And they have a choice to make - define their own destiny or leave their destiny to be determined by their elders. Will they realise their numerical strength and use it strategically by mobilising, organising and effectively participate in political processes and space with clear objective and demands?
Young people must know that there will be nothing for them without them contribution for their own good. Therefore, it is high time they harnessed their opportunities for the realisation of their full potential to spur development and guarantee peace and stability of Uganda by positioning themselves to reclaim their spaces in civic and political engagement.
Charles Mulozi Olweny, [email protected]
