COVID-19: Gov't cancels International Youth Day fete

May 21, 2020

“The ministry, however, would like to encourage district local governments and other stakeholders to observe the Days through activities that don’t necessitate gathering of people in one place like radio and TV talk shows, online conferences and newspaper supplements, among others,” she said.

COVID-19 | CELEBRATIONS

The health guidelines prohibiting mass gatherings to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus has prompted the government to cancel national events to commemorate the Day of the African Child and International Youth Day.

"The decision follows a review and due consideration of the safety of Ugandans," the minister of state for Youth and Children Affairs, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi announced on Thursday.

The minister said; "The ministry, however, would like to encourage district local governments and other stakeholders to observe the Days through activities that don't necessitate gathering of people in one place like radio and TV talk shows, online conferences and newspaper supplements, among others," she said.

 


About the day

The Day of the African Child was instituted in memory of the thousands of black schoolchildren who on June 16, 1976, marched through the streets of Soweto in Apartheid South Africa protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language.

The security forces responded by shooting dead more than 100 innocent people and injuring over 1000 others.

In 1991, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the then Organisation of the African Unity (OAU) now the African Union (AU), instituted the Day of the African Child to honour the courage of the children that got out to demand their rights.

On the other hand, the International Youth Day (IYD) is commemorated globally every year on August 12 to recognize efforts of the youth in enhancing the development agenda.

It serves as an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change and is an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges and problems facing the world's young people.

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