Netherlands ambassador launches youth empowerment project

There was unprecedented celebration and jubilation at the premises of Communication Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU) at Plot 2, Valley Road, Ntinda (Minister's Village) as the organisation unveiled a new youth empowerment project.

The project, the Future is Now, is designed to inspire and motivate the youth to participate in democratic governance in order to become leaders of today.

It was launched by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, His Excellency Henk Jan Bakker, who is also the Chair of Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), a partner organisation with CDFU.

The Executive Director of CDFU, Anne Gamurorwa said the new project was yet another 12 months multi-media/multi-channel communication campaign aimed at empowering young people (15-30 years) to engage with their leaders and also hold them accountable.

Ambassador Henk with the staff and partners of CDFU after launching the organisation's new project, 'The Future is Now!'

"The Future is now builds on from other successful projects  like Empower a Youth and Build a Nation, My Voice, My Vote, My Country, and Youth Rock the Nation, which have equipped the youth with skills and information which has in turn built their confidence to participate  in democratic processes  and hold their leaders accountable."

Ambassador Henk commended CDFU for their innovative approach through the drama series Rock Point 256 that is meant to provide information and promote debate amongst Ugandans, in  particular the youths.

He asked the stakeholders to maximise and utilise the potential of youth in contributing towards national development.

He emphasised the importance of investing in youth programming owing to the fact that Uganda has a huge percentage of youth. He later encouraged CDFU to promote active citizenship and participation by involving young people in the project.

Also during the same function, Ambassador Henk launched the organisation's sound studio, which the Board Chairman, Prof Winstons Muhwezi.

He said this was a big push that would enable CDFU to move towards growing its financial resource base/muscle by generating internal resources.

Further to the entertainment by the organisation's clowns, the guests, who were mostly stakeholders and partners, were also kept hooked by the interesting testimonies that were given by the youth who had been empowered through their active and passive involvement in the programmes of CDFU.