Museveni’s digital dialogue: A progressive step for Uganda’s youth

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OPINION

By Quillino Bamwine

President Yoweri Museveni’s recent engagement with young Ugandans through the interactive session dubbed Jazz with Jajja marks a significant and commendable shift in addressing the challenges faced by the youth in the digital era. In a world increasingly driven by technology, connectivity, and innovation, such conversations are not only timely, but essential for shaping Uganda’s socio-economic future.

The President’s candid discussion with content creators, journalists, influencers, and digital entrepreneurs demonstrates a recognition of the transformative power of the internet and digital platforms.

By acknowledging concerns about high data costs and exploring solutions such as Starlink satellite internet, Museveni has signalled a willingness to embrace global technological trends while ensuring affordability and accessibility for Ugandans.

Uganda’s youth constitute the largest demographic group, and their aspirations are deeply intertwined with digital opportunities. From content creation and e-commerce to remote work and online education, the internet has become a lifeline for innovation and income generation. However, prohibitive data costs have long been a stumbling block, limiting creativity and economic participation.

Museveni’s openness to dialogue on this issue reflects a progressive mindset. His assurance that the Government will review bottlenecks such as taxation and last-mile connectivity is a step toward dismantling structural barriers that keep internet prices high.

Furthermore, the consideration of Starlink as an alternative to traditional fibre-optic infrastructure shows adaptability to emerging technologies that could revolutionise connectivity in rural and underserved areas.

One of the most striking aspects of Museveni’s engagement was his emphasis on mindset change among young people. While acknowledging the role of leisure activities like dancing and football, he urged the youth to prioritise economic transformation and regional market integration.

This message resonates deeply in an era where digital platforms often amplify entertainment over substance.

Museveni’s reminder that prosperity stems from production and sustainable trade—not begging—underscores the importance of entrepreneurship and value addition.

His example of coffee, a $460b global industry where Africa earns only a fraction, illustrates the urgent need for innovation and industrialisation.

By challenging influencers to use their platforms for meaningful discourse on wealth creation and continental unity, the President is steering the conversation toward long-term development goals.

The discussion also ventured into global geopolitics, with Museveni citing the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as a wake-up call for Africa.

His warning about the continent’s vulnerability in the face of advanced global powers highlights the interconnectedness of economic strength, technological capacity, and security.

In an age where space exploration and artificial intelligence dominate global agendas, Africa cannot afford complacency.

Museveni’s call for strategic preparedness—across land, sea, air, and space—may seem ambitious, but it is rooted in reality.

The digital economy is not just about social media and entertainment; it is a gateway to global competitiveness.

For Uganda’s youth, this means leveraging technology not only for personal gain, but also for national resilience.

The President’s acknowledgement of Uganda’s progress in transitioning from expensive satellite communication to undersea fibre-optic cables is noteworthy.

This shift has already reduced costs significantly, but as Museveni rightly pointed out, further reductions are possible. By addressing monopolistic tendencies among telecom companies and investing in infrastructure, Uganda has laid a foundation for affordable internet.

The next frontier is ensuring equitable access, especially for rural communities where connectivity remains a challenge.

Introducing Starlink could complement existing infrastructure, offering high-speed internet to remote areas and empowering rural youth to participate in the digital economy.

However, affordability will be key. Museveni’s insistence that the service must be cost-effective reflects a commitment to inclusivity rather than elitism.

What makes this engagement particularly commendable is its format. By sitting down with young people in an informal, interactive setting, Museveni broke away from traditional top-down communication.

This approach fosters trust, encourages dialogue, and positions the government as a partner rather than a distant authority. Involving influencers and digital entrepreneurs ensures that the voices shaping online narratives are heard and integrated into policy discussions.

Moreover, the President’s willingness to address contentious issues—such as the Facebook shutdown—shows transparency. While his justification for the ban may remain debatable, the openness to future engagement with platforms underlines a pragmatic stance.

Museveni’s engagement with Uganda’s digital generation is more than a conversation; it is a blueprint for inclusive development.

By tackling internet affordability, promoting mindset change, and emphasising strategic security, the President has set the stage for a digitally empowered Uganda. The challenge now lies in translating these discussions into actionable policies that deliver tangible benefits.

For Uganda’s youth, this is an opportunity to rise beyond entertainment and embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and continental integration.

For the government, it is a chance to build trust and co-create solutions with the very demographic that holds the key to the nation’s future.

In a rapidly evolving world, such dialogues are not optional—they are imperative. And for that reason, Museveni’s initiative deserves commendation as a progressive step toward bridging Uganda’s digital divide and unlocking the full potential of its young population.

The writer studied Political Science and Political Economy