How are local governments empowering the youth?
Nov 14, 2007
LOCAL leaders countrywide should be instrumental in initiatives for the development of the youth. Of Uganda’s 27 million people, the youth comprise 64% yet they face the most social challenges. For example, 10% of them have HIV/AIDS, 25% are exposed to drug abuse and alcoholism and 41% are unempl
LOCAL leaders countrywide should be instrumental in initiatives for the development of the youth. Of Uganda’s 27 million people, the youth comprise 64% yet they face the most social challenges. For example, 10% of them have HIV/AIDS, 25% are exposed to drug abuse and alcoholism and 41% are unemployed. As the Commonwealth Youth Forum goes on at the Imperial Botanical Hotel, Entebbe, Joshua Kato talked to local government leaders about what they have done for the youth and the challenges they face.
Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga, Mayor Mukono Town
We are giving the youth lifeskills. For example, free technical schools for girls and boys who have dropped out of school. Girls get skills in beauty care, catering, tailoring and computer, while boys learn carpentry, welding and construction. I also started a music group. One of group members, Mercy Crow was nominated for a PAM Award. The council also sponsors youth in secondary and primary schools.
Developing the youth is very challenging. For example, many parents neglect their youth leaving them to the world to shape them. Many youth want to get rich quick and others simply love free things.
Ikoba Tigawalana,
LC5 c/m Mayuge district
We have a vote in our budget for youth development programmes. We ask them to start income-generating activities and requisition for funds from the district.
Our main challenge is the meagre resources that we have.
William Dada,
LC5 C/M Koboko
We included youth development in our three-year development programme. Initiatives include setting up skill-arming programmes. The main challenge is many youth want free things and only surface when there is money to be given out. This, of course, affects their abilities to plan ahead or articulate where they want to be in 10 years’ time. They should identify their needs and tell them to us.
Col (rtd) Charles Engola,
LC5 C/M, Oyam
Since my district lies in a former war zone, I have different categories of youth. One category went to camps and are traumatised. The other group did not go to school and as a result, many of themdo not have jobs. For those who are traumatised, we counsel and give them skills. The district is also emphasising education, especially under Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education, but we lack classrooms. The district has bought five hydrofoam machines to make inter-locking blocks to construct classrooms. The district is employing many of the semi-skilled or unskilled youth to operate these machines. This way, they get new skills in construction and earn some money. I also have a problem of the youth who drink all day. The district has passed a by-law banning drinking before 5:00pm.
Joseph Musoke
LC5 C/M Mityana District
We have mobilised the youth under Mityana Youth Development Association, to help them acquire jobs and skills. For example, the youth have already acquired 38 motor-bikes. We have alsohave a youth council where through regular meetings the youth articulate some of their problems.
Peter Owiny
Lira Municipality Mayor
The war has affected the youth in my area so much that many of them are still traumatised. Our major role at the moment is to make them recover from this trauma.
George Tinkamanyire Bagonza, Hoima District LC5 C/M
Developing the youth is a very big challenge. I had set up several youth development projects, but all failed due to the disorganisation among the youth.
One of the projects was a boda-boda riders scheme. However, it was frustrated by the youth after they failed to pay back the revolving fund. On many occasions, theyfight over small money.
Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga, Mayor Mukono Town
We are giving the youth lifeskills. For example, free technical schools for girls and boys who have dropped out of school. Girls get skills in beauty care, catering, tailoring and computer, while boys learn carpentry, welding and construction. I also started a music group. One of group members, Mercy Crow was nominated for a PAM Award. The council also sponsors youth in secondary and primary schools.
Developing the youth is very challenging. For example, many parents neglect their youth leaving them to the world to shape them. Many youth want to get rich quick and others simply love free things.
Ikoba Tigawalana,
LC5 c/m Mayuge district
We have a vote in our budget for youth development programmes. We ask them to start income-generating activities and requisition for funds from the district.
Our main challenge is the meagre resources that we have.
William Dada,
LC5 C/M Koboko
We included youth development in our three-year development programme. Initiatives include setting up skill-arming programmes. The main challenge is many youth want free things and only surface when there is money to be given out. This, of course, affects their abilities to plan ahead or articulate where they want to be in 10 years’ time. They should identify their needs and tell them to us.
Col (rtd) Charles Engola,
LC5 C/M, Oyam
Since my district lies in a former war zone, I have different categories of youth. One category went to camps and are traumatised. The other group did not go to school and as a result, many of themdo not have jobs. For those who are traumatised, we counsel and give them skills. The district is also emphasising education, especially under Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education, but we lack classrooms. The district has bought five hydrofoam machines to make inter-locking blocks to construct classrooms. The district is employing many of the semi-skilled or unskilled youth to operate these machines. This way, they get new skills in construction and earn some money. I also have a problem of the youth who drink all day. The district has passed a by-law banning drinking before 5:00pm.
Joseph Musoke
LC5 C/M Mityana District
We have mobilised the youth under Mityana Youth Development Association, to help them acquire jobs and skills. For example, the youth have already acquired 38 motor-bikes. We have alsohave a youth council where through regular meetings the youth articulate some of their problems.
Peter Owiny
Lira Municipality Mayor
The war has affected the youth in my area so much that many of them are still traumatised. Our major role at the moment is to make them recover from this trauma.
George Tinkamanyire Bagonza, Hoima District LC5 C/M
Developing the youth is a very big challenge. I had set up several youth development projects, but all failed due to the disorganisation among the youth.
One of the projects was a boda-boda riders scheme. However, it was frustrated by the youth after they failed to pay back the revolving fund. On many occasions, theyfight over small money.