African youth partner to fight corruption
Feb 27, 2017
The Young African Leaders Summit 2017 (TYALS) tackled issues like the participation in fighting corruption, good governance, rule of law, challenges of the judicial systems in Africa, among others.
Participants in a group photo after receiving Certificates of attendance during the Young African Leaders' Summit 2017 in Jinja over the weekend. Pix by Abou Kisige
Youth from from five African countries have joined hands and vowed to take the lead in the fight against corruption and guarantee a corrupt-free Africa.
This was during a two-day conference held in Jinja (on Friday and Saturday) where over 30 youth from Rwanda, Namibia, Kenya, South Sudan and host Uganda acknowledged that the responsibility of fighting corruption lies entirely in their hands because they are the leaders of tomorrow.
The Young African Leaders Summit 2017 (TYALS) tackled issues like the youths'participation in fighting corruption, good governance, rule of law, challenges of the judicial systems in Africa, among others. The conference was organized by Anti-Corruption International (ACI).
"Africa is facing a lot of challenges and one of the greatest is corruption which has held back many countries' progress and has led to suffering of millions of Africans," noted Ismail Waiswa, the President of Anti-Corruption International (ACI) Uganda chapter.
For many years, most African countries have been ranked as the most corrupt countries in the world which has greatly affected the progress of the continent.
Participating youth Christine Kobugabe and Elizabeth Nambi listening to the Representative of the Germany Embassy Jan Philip during the Young African Leaders' Summit 2017 in Jinja over the weekend.Pix by Abou Kisige
SietseBlom, the President of the International Board of ACI from the Netherlands said that corruption is personal and that youth are key in fighting the vice.
"Each of you has a role to play in ensuring corruption is ended because unfortunately it affects the grass root person more; it is simply a personal choice to end it or to embrace it," Blom said.
Innocent Emmanuel from South Sudan pointed out that corruption comes along with such things like bad governance, injustice, disregard of rule of law, poor service delivery among other negativities that stagnates development.
The youth committed themselves to do everything in their capacity to sensitize their communities by highlighting the consequences of corruption.
They also shared stories from their respective countries and views on how to tackle the vice.
The Germany embassy was represented by Jan Philip who assured the youth of full support from.