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Vision Group and the United Nations Development Programme have partnered, aiming to promote skills development among the youth.

Speaking during the meeting at Ndere Cultural Centre in Ntinda Kampala on Wednesday, UNDP country director Elsie G. Attafuah said Uganda is among the five global countries with the youngest population. She said Uganda has educated and brilliant youth who just need a spark to get started.

“It's now about making people understand the opportunities within their localities,” she said.

Don Wanyama Vision Group CEO (right) with Elsie Attafuah UNDP Uganda Resident Representative during their meeting at Ndere Troop on Tuesday 10th January 2024. (Photo by Ivan Kabuye)

Attafuah cited an example of a girl whom she met in Kabale, where Lake Bunyonyi is situated. When Attafuah told the girl how she was in a beautiful place with uncountable opportunities, the girl instead said that she wanted to go to Kampala, where she believed there are more chances of success.

According to her, the place is attractive with diverse opportunities, though the locals seem not to be capable of exploiting them.

The country director noted that such a girl only needs to be taught and informed on how to exploit the opportunities of tourism within her locality.

Some of the motives of the UNDP are to provide policy and technical support by working on and advocating for poverty reduction, democratic governance, crisis prevention and recovery, the environment, and sustainable development. Also, to promote the co-ordination, efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations system at the country level.

Don Wanyama Vision Group CEO (right) gifting Elsie Attafuah UNDP Resident Representative for Uganda during their meeting at Ndere Troop on Tuesday 10th January 2024. (Photo by Ivan Kabuye)

Attafuah observed that despite Uganda being a beautiful country, many times, people go elsewhere, and that by partnering with a media house like Vision Group, a lot will be showcased, as well as exposing many opportunities to the youth.

For instance, Vision Group has newspapers both in local and English languages, radios, TVs, and other social media platforms that reach every part of the country.

“Working together with the media, we can influence the behavioural conversation among the people,” she said.

Vision Group Chief Executive Officer Don Wanyama said the media giant has always created opportunities for viewers and readers through publishing weekly stories in the Pakasa Pullout.

The company has also organised events such as the Harvest Money Expo, where different farmers come to expose what they grow and how they do it, and also meet future partners, accessing the right knowledge and skills. It also has the Education Expo where learners meet their long-time mentors and the information that can lead them somewhere.

“We had a meeting largely to see how our two institutions can continue, improve, and cement their working relationship. UNDP is largely about human development and at New Vision, we also believe in giving content that advances and betters society,” he said.

L-R Nicolas Burunde Private Sector Specialist UNDP, Innocent Fred Innovation and Development  Solution Specialist UNDP, Elsie Attafuah UNDP Resident Representative, Don Wanyama Vision Group CEO, Hope Niwagaba Head of Sales Vision Group and Swaib Ssekyanzi Vision Group staff posing for a picture. (Photo by Ivan Kabuye)

“So, we have discussed how we can work together closely and support the human advancement of our people in this country, how to get prosperity, and what role a critical and important media like ours can play,” he added.

Wanyama said Uganda’s opportunity lies in tourism, and if properly documented by a powerful media house like Vision Group, tourists can come, which means earning foreign exchange and developing other entities.

Last year, Vision Group, together with UNDP, moved to eastern Uganda to showcase the beauty of the area to the world. Economics and talents were showcased; according to Wanyama, if this relationship continues, many opportunities will be mapped out and, in the process, empowered.