The construction of the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) complex in Kawuku will create job opportunities for young people, according to Abbas Agaba, the council's secretary general.

The complex, which is a government-backed initiative, will sit on 50 acres of land in Kawuku, Katabi sub-county in Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso district. It will comprise of office blocks, a 20,000-seater stadium, a university of science and technology, a hotel and a cultural heritage centre that will contain the cultures of the African and Arab World.

While addressing journalists on Tuesday, February 27, at the Media Center, Agaba highlighted that the fundraising of the complex is being led by President Yoweri Museveni, who is the patron of the council.

“Our patron, President Museveni, is spearheading the fundraising for the complex from other member states and different presidents. We expect to raise at least 150 million dollars to realize all the projects for the complex,” he said.

Abbas Agaba (Right) the General Secretary of the Afro Arab Youth council with Mary Mutesi the Head of projects Afro Arab youth Council after addressing the media. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)

This was the fulfilment of the presidential pledge made to the council members during their second summit in 2008, where over 5,000 youths from subscribing nations agreed to construct their international offices in Uganda.

The government of Uganda signed a 10-year agreement with the Afro-Arab Youth Council to establish initiatives aimed at boosting youth empowerment in Uganda.

Therefore, Agaba encouraged youth to be on the lookout for opportunities that come with the convention centre and to pick interest in organizations, which will lead to their breakthroughs.

“After it has been constructed, young people can take part in different ongoing programmes. Some of them will get jobs and others contacts. We are harnessing opportunities from all over the Arab and African world, and we are bringing these opportunities close to Ugandans,” Agaba explained.

Available records indicate that the then Libya President, Muammar Gaddafi, offered to fully fund the construction works of the complex, however, due to lack of land at the time, coupled with political instabilities, which later erupted in his country resulting in his eventual death, the proposed construction efforts stalled. 

AAYC 20th anniversary

Agaba urged youth to attend forthcoming events organized for the 20th anniversary of AAYC, stating that they will benefit from the networking opportunities.

An anniversary week, from March 4 to 9, has been dedicated to celebrating 20 years of the Afro-Arab Youth Council.

“Over 120 youth guests from outside Africa will be coming for the anniversary, to be around and get contacts as well as insights from different individuals,” Agaba said.

He said on March 4, there will be an official opening at Makerere University at Mary Stuart Hall, where Prof. Roland Lumumba will be hosted. On March 5, the First Lady Mrs Janet Kataha Museveni will be hosted at Kampala International University for a programme on mental health among youth; on March 6, there will be an interaction with the Kyabazinga of Busoga, Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope at Jinja Secondary School, where a marathon shall be conducted. The chief runner of the marathon will be sports minister Peter Ogwang.

On March 7, they will have a nature walk where guests will walk through Mabira; on March 8, the guests shall travel to Katakwi, where they will celebrate International Women Day; and on March 9, AAYC will celebrate its 20th anniversary officially.

The Afro-Arab Youth Council is an African and Arabian regional organization that promotes and strengthens linkages between the youth of the African and Arab world to achieve peace and development as well as solve unemployment challenges amongst the youth.