Economists, bankers demand greater youth inclusion in leadership and key decisions

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Bankers and economists have called for greater involvement of young professionals in leadership and economic decision-making, arguing that Uganda and Africa cannot achieve long-term stability without integrating the continent’s youthful population into positions of influence. 

Speaking at Makerere University’s Main Hall auditorium during the Tumusiime-Mutebile 2025 Annual Public Lecture on December 4, 2025, the panel of experts said intergenerational leadership is essential for economic resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth.

The lecture was held under the theme: Shaping Africa’s Future: Intergenerational Leadership, Economic Resilience and the Power of Innovation.

Keynote speaker Prof. Francis Tusubira said young people remain Africa’s greatest resource, yet their exclusion from leadership continues to undermine the continent’s progress.

He noted that 65% of Africa’s population is between 15 and 35, while national leaders and parliamentarians are generally much older.

“We need to accept and actualise the reality that our younger generation is our greatest resource. This is not just about equity and inclusion. It is survival, a survival and growth imperative for Africa,” he said.

Tusubira argued that although African countries often praise the potential of their youthful populations, many policies and practices keep them out of decision-making spaces.

He added that experience has sometimes become a barrier to opportunity because systems favour older generations even as the world changes rapidly.

He warned that such exclusion fuels resentment and contributes to growing intergenerational tensions. 

“We love using the statement that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow, which is, in reality, an indefinite exclusion from leadership and decision making,” he said.

Tusubira cited historical examples of young leaders across Africa and beyond who made significant contributions, from Nelson Mandela to innovators such as Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates who built transformative companies in their twenties.

He said Africa must likewise embrace the idealism, agility, risk-taking nature, and resilience of its young people.

Go beyond invitations

dfcu Bank managing director Charles Mudiwa said involving young people should go beyond inviting them into existing structures.

“We should not be focusing on inviting young people to the table but building new tables. Institutions must create space for new ideas and provide young innovators with the training, funding, and opportunities needed to develop sustainable enterprises,” he said.

He highlighted Uganda’s agricultural potential and urged young professionals to explore sectors such as climate-related financing and agribusiness. “Young people are not too young to make a difference,” he said.

Bank of Uganda Governor Dr Michael Atingi-Ego used the lecture to pay tribute to the late Professor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, who served as central bank governor for 21 years until he died in 2022.

He praised his leadership through the 2008 global financial crisis, the 2011 inflation spike and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Atingi-Ego said Mutebile’s decisions protected livelihoods and preserved the stability of Uganda’s financial system.

“He was always ready to burn the fingers of anyone who threatened financial stability—regardless of their intention, position or power,” he said.

The Governor linked Mutebile’s legacy to the lecture theme, noting that Africa cannot achieve economic transformation while excluding its youthful majority.

He said reforms initiated under Mutebile’s leadership, including agency banking and Islamic banking, expanded financial inclusion and helped position Uganda for innovation.

“The world’s youngest population gives us a demographic dividend that could propel us forward or, if squandered through exclusion and age discrimination, become a demographic disaster,” he said.

Uganda's challenges

Atingi-Ego outlined several challenges the country faces, including cybersecurity threats, climate-related financial risks and money laundering, but said innovation remains central to Uganda’s growth.

He cited ongoing efforts to modernise payment systems, enhance digital financial services and strengthen consumer protection. He urged citizens to report financial service challenges and emphasised the importance of trust in the financial sector.

Atingi-Ego also warned that stability alone is not enough if the country does not address youth unemployment and economic exclusion, further noting that the country can maintain low inflation and still fail to create enough jobs for its young people.

The Governor outlined priorities for Uganda’s economic future, including increasing domestic revenue, investing in human capital, expanding private-sector credit and managing innovation responsibly through strong cybersecurity and digital literacy.

He called for an intergenerational partnership built on shared responsibility. “Experience without innovation becomes obsolescence. Innovation without wisdom becomes recklessness. Together, however, they become transformation,” he said.

The lecture also highlighted Mutebile’s community-centred contributions. His foundation introduced cage fishing in Lake Bunyonyi using six fish cages, resulting in 29,500 fish thriving despite environmental challenges.

It planted 15,000 trees in five schools and one university, and awarded 13 scholarships supporting future bankers, doctors and business leaders.

In health, it procured three dialysis machines, a water plant and launched the kidney care unit at Rugarama Hospital in Kabale.

The foundation plans to expand the scholarship programme, plant 50,000 more trees, procure kidney-care supplies, train health workers, and support youth in sustainable farming.