MPs okay National Youth Service and Internship Programme

By Henry Sekanjako

Parliament has passed a motion calling on the Government to establish the National Youth Service and Internship Programme.

According to the motion tabled before Parliament by the National Female Youth MP Monica Amoding, also chairperson Uganda Parliamentary forum on youth affairs, the National youth service and internship programme would offer structured work –like placements for the young people designed to enhance their employmentablity.

“One of the objectives of the National Employment Policy for Uganda (2011) is to promote in-employment skills development, training and apprenticeships and/or internships, especially for youth,” said Amoding.

A recent report by the international labor organization and Uganda bureau of statistics indicates young people represent more than half of the unemployed in Uganda and many of those employed are in low quality jobs.

It is against this backdrop that the Uganda Parliamentary forum on youth affairs in collaboration with the National Youth Council have been promoting the youth internship and service programme as a means addressing youth unemployment.

In its policy statement and budget estimates for 2014/2015 financial year, the Parliamentary committee on gender labour and social development recommended that the government supports the internship programme initiated by the National Youth Council to cope with the employment challenges.

“Let it be resolved by this parliament that the government develops a national youth service and the internship program,” said Amoding.

The Motion which was adopted by Parliament was seconded by Kakuuto south MP Mathias Kasamba.

The MPs noted that the National youth service and internship programme would complement other government initiatives such as the youth livelihood programme.