Museveni endorses new UN-Uganda Joint adolescent and youth program

 By Umar Weswala:

President Museveni endorsing the UNYJP  in Kabale

The President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has endorsed a new collaborative program between the government of Uganda and the United Nations. This happened yesterday at Kigezi Primary School Lower Grounds in Kabale Municipality during the national commemoration of this year’s International Youth Day.

The US$22 million Uganda-UN Joint Adolescent and Youth Program (UNYJP) involving 13 UN agencies will address youth related actions under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

According to a United Nations Joint Press statement issued in commemoration of the International Youth Day, the program is broadly aligned to the global UN Youth strategy and the national frameworks and policies and it is set to address the barriers hindering youth potential.

“The focus areas are; sexual and reproductive health, inclusive quality education, skills and employment opportunities, climate action and peace and stability” Press Statement.

Flanked by the UN Women, UNFPA and UNDP Country Representatives, President Museveni endorsed the program by appending his signature on a ceremonial document, making the partnership official.

He gave thumbs up to the United Nations agencies for partnering with the government of Uganda.

 “I thank the UN family for their support for some of our programs” Museveni said.

Being an adolescent and youth focused program, unveiling it during the commemoration of the International youth day was a beautiful coincidence because all the stakeholders, both local and international had converged in Kabale town to commemorate the day.

The President, Vice President, Ministers (led by the minister of Labour, Gender and Social Development), the National Youth Council Chairman, members of parliament, foreign diplomats, religious leaders and members of the civil society were all present and witnessed the launch of the program.

Don’t be a population of leisure seekers

Alluding to the theme of the day which was; “Accelerating recovery from COVID-19 and full implementation of the 2030 agenda, the role of the youth” President Museveni urged the youth to be hardworking and innovative, pledging that young people with innovative projects will be supported with state funds.

“As a former youth I am a hard worker. Wherever you put me I will deliver. You the youth of Uganda what are you going to be?” he asked.

Museveni admitted that he has not been interacting with the youth closely and pledged to give them more time.

On the issue of the role of the youth, Museveni had a perfect job for them;

“The private sector is doing a good job, but the problem has been corruption in the civil servants and the politicians also, which you should fight. The youth council should see those corrupt people and expose them. That will be part of your work because you are in the society. You can see what is happening.”

He promised to ‘bring back’ the UGX 4 billion proposed annual budget for the National Youth Council, saying that he was embarrassed to hear that somebody took it away.

“Some of these people are shameless. How do you find someone with very little and you take it away. It is not common sense”.

Dr. Mary (C) giving remarks on behalf  the UN.
Looking on is the UNDP Rep. Elsie Attafuah (R)
and UN Women Rep. Paulina Chiwangu (L)

Speaking on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda Ms. Susan Namondo, the UNFPA Uganda Country Representative Dr. Mary Otieno commended President Museveni’s leadership for its commitment towards youth empowerment through various government programs and initiatives.

Referring to the UNYJP, Dr. Otieno said it is an opportunity for the government of Uganda and the UN to accelerate efforts towards addressing the barriers hindering youth from reaching their full potential.

“I would like to call on all development actors to join us in building the capacities of youth and creating space for their engagement to help realise the Sustainable Development Goals as key stakeholders and change agents nationally and globally” she said.

Study after study has shown that investing in the health, education, employment and information of young people is the single best way to bring benefits to them, their families, their communities and their nations.

Poem "Youth are the Engine"

The UNYJP phase one will be implemented between 2023-2025 in the 8 Districts of Yumbe, Terego, Kotido, Moroto, Kampala, Lamwo, Kiryandongo and Namayingo.

Speaking on behalf of the youth, Chairperson of the National Youth Council Mr. Jacob Eyeru said that with support from UNFPA, the council has been engaging young people nationwide on fighting teenage pregnancy.

“The engagements have been so serious that we have so far moved to 7 sub-regions in the first part of the year, and we intend to do fourteen. In these engagements, we talk to the youth about the dangers of teenage pregnancies” he noted.

NYC Chairperson Eyeru

Eyeru revealed that the school dropout rate among teenage girls in the areas they have visited is driven by teenage pregnancies.

With young people under 35 making 76% of the national population, the government of Uganda and partners can only get it right by investing significantly in their education, health, employment for the country to reap the demographic divided.

The UNYJP is one of such investments that will be a game changer if it accorded enough support especially in terms of financial resources.