Why Uganda needs youth governance

 

 

This is a grotesque representation for a country as young as Uganda, where 77% of the population is below 30 years and half is below 15. Only 16% of Ugandans are above 60.

 

 Every country has its ‘lost generation’. In Uganda, some were stolen away by war (1981-86), some by economic downturns, and some by ruthless dictatorship (1971-79). When Britain’s colonial administrators lowered the Union Jack flag in Uganda on October 10, 1962, Uganda was Africa’s greatest hope. (The pearl of Africa) Its pool of talent, mass of fertile land and newly discovered oil promised economic transformation and a role leading independent Africa onto the global stage.  

 

Fifty years on and despite our vast wealth – abundant natural resources, talents and human capacity (at home and abroad) with which we are endowed , we as a nation continue to struggle with the most basic needs (food, shelter, water and sanitation, electricity, etc) – paralysed by wide spread poverty, endemic corruption;  high levels of unemployment; impoverished education, decaying health and social care systems, chaotic transport, broken down justice system of law, order, security of life and property;  weak, fragile and unstable economy, financial systems and institutions etc. 

 

For a better Uganda, the youth should not run away for greener pastures but rather have to be virile, purposeful with vision strong enough to create strong culture that would assert strong values in our various societies.  

 

 We need a paradigm shift in leadership identification, nurturing and selection - something fresh, something young, something integrative that utilises the wisdom of the past with a vision of the future - thus throwing up Ugandans with the knowledge, skills and proven record of performance and integrity in public affairs to transform our nation. 

 

A World Bank report, Africa Development Indicators 2008/09, says unemployment among Uganda’s youth is one of the highest in Africa, with 83 in every 100 people between 15 and 24 years unable to find work.

 

In the political arena, angered by failures of corrupt, senescent leadership; frustrated by economic policies that do not deliver, impatient to recover from lost civil rights; worn out by conflicts, escalating unemployment, the youth are now striving for a fresh start. The start must come from a new generation of leaders, committed to acceptable and sustainable reforms.

 

The mood now in Uganda is changing as people begin to speak out more confidently against corruption, human rights abuses and criticise the unpopular policies of previous governments. In every corner now in the country, there is a debate on what is critical to the future of the country; the need for youth governance.