President Yoweri Museveni has urged the youths to embrace wealth creation, defend government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), and build on the peace and stability secured by the NRM government.
Museveni today joined thousands of young people in Masindi District, Bunyoro sub-region, to mark this year’s International Youth Day celebrations.
The event, held at Masindi Golf Course grounds, under the theme: “Youth Advancing Socio-Economic Transformation through Technology
and Partnership,” brought together youth leaders, government officials and beneficiaries of various empowerment programmes.
International Youth Day is observed annually on August 12, following a 1999 UN resolution, to recognize the role of young people in development.
According to the 2024 National Census, Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world with 73.5% below the age of 30, thus
considering its youth a strategic resource for socio-economic transformation.
In his keynote address, President Museveni said he was proud that the NRM government had delivered on its core plan of peace, which now provides a firm foundation for development.
“Some people confuse pledges with plans. The major plan of the NRM government is peace and that one is firm. Nobody can bring war here again,” the President told the cheering crowd, while also cautioning that crime and corruption remain threats that must be confronted.
Turning to health, he noted that Uganda’s youthful population is a direct result of successful immunization campaigns that have drastically
reduced child mortality. However, he expressed concern over the persistent theft of drugs from government health centres.
"Our children are alive because of immunization. But the drugs for treatment are being stolen not in Congo or South Sudan, but here in Uganda. That means it is you, the citizens, who must take responsibility and stop this theft,” he said.
The President emphasized that the fight against poverty must begin with commercial agriculture, citing real-life examples of model farmers who have transformed small acreage into multimillion-shilling enterprises.
He singled out Hon. Fred Byamukama, the State Minister of Works, who earns over Shs55million a month from poultry farming alone and Mr. Richard Nyakana, a model farmer from Fort Portal, who employs 15 people on one acre of land.
“Please, listen carefully to the NRM message! Plan number one is commercial agriculture. From there, we go to manufacturing and then
services, including digital. These are the pillars that will transform Uganda,” he added.
The President announced plans for an industrial park in Hoima, near Karuma Dam, and pointed to factories such as Kinyara Sugar, which
already employs over 20,000 people, as proof of the manufacturing sector’s potential to absorb the youths.
He further urged them to embrace services such as tourism and digital technology, which he described as critical enablers in today’s economy.On PDM, the President issued a stern warning against corruption and mismanagement.
“The PDM money is your money. Defend it? If thieves steal it, they can only succeed with your silence. We send the money from the centre, but if you do not monitor it, it will be stolen by your own people. Don’t just complain. You have the power to demand accountability,” he charged.
The President reminded the gathering that the government had done its part by providing resources but stressed that communities must also play their role to ensure the success of these programmes.
This year’s celebrations also showcased success stories of government youth programmes. The Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) has
disbursed Shs 193.7billion to more than 273,000 youths, while the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl and Boy Child has trained over
30,000 urban youths since 2017 in trades ranging from tailoring, welding, ICT and baking among others.
At the same function, three of the best-performing youth and women groups under YLP and Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme
(UWEP) were awarded.
In closing, the President urged the young generation not to confuse government’s mass-impact plans with political pledges, stressing the
importance of focusing on programmes that reach the majority.
“Plans are for the masses- agriculture, manufacturing, services, health and PDM. Pledges are small additions. Concentrate on the plans! That is how we shall move Uganda forward together,” he said.
On the other hand, Hon. Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, hailed the country’s young people as a critical force for Socio-Economic Transformation, calling for deliberate investment in digital skilling, innovation and partnerships to unlock their potential.
Hon. Amongi thanked the President for dedicating the day to the youth and for joining them in person, noting that this year’s celebrations reflect the rapid evolution of digital tools and their power to reshape society.
“Technology must be accessible to all urban and rural Ugandans alike. The 2024 Digital Study showed that 43% of Ugandans aged 10 years and above are using smartphones, with 28% of them between 15 and 24 years. Of these, nearly half are using smartphones for trade, entrepreneurship, and online business. That is how transformative this moment is for our young population,” she said.
The Gender Minister pointed out that mobile phones have become business tools, creating new forms of employment such as mobile
money agencies, delivery services, and digital banking agencies even in rural villages.
She emphasized that government must align policies to ensure that technology drives not only economic growth but also social and cultural inclusion.
“We must enable our young people to embrace technology. Innovation hubs in Kampala, Mbale, Mbarara, and Gulu are already producing
results. Programmes such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) are connecting Ugandan youths to jobs globally. Today, young Ugandans
work as customer care officers for companies in the UK, Japan, and the USA yet they remain here in Uganda, earning an income through
technology,” she noted, adding that e-governance reforms have improved efficiency in public service and helped curb corruption.
Hon. Amongi underlined that access to affordable internet and digital literacy would be central in shaping the competitiveness of Uganda’s
youths in both regional and global markets.
Hon. Balaam Barugahara, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, revealed that nearly 776,000 young people had already benefited from government programmes, with 30% of enterprise funds reserved specifically for youths.
“So far, government has invested Shs 1.2 trillion in youth empowerment and more will follow. We are ensuring that young people are not left behind in the country’s transformation,” he said.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Uganda, H.E. Zulu Leonard, saluted the creativity and resilience of Ugandan youths, assuring them of the UN’s continued partnership.
“Uganda’s future will be written by its youths. With the right investments, you will power Vision 2040. To the young people of Uganda: keep pushing, keep innovating! The United Nations sees you, stands with you, and will continue to support you as partners, advocates, and friends,” he said.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, H.E. Frederieke Quispel, representing the European Union, described
Uganda’s young population as a blessing and a unique advantage in a world where Europe and other regions face aging populations.
“In Europe, over 20% of the population is above 65. Here in Uganda, the youths form the majority. This is extraordinary. Your young people can drive growth, innovation, and technology. But for that to happen, they must have education, meaningful participation and opportunities to be heard on issues that affect their lives. That is what true youth leadership means,” she said.
The outgoing Chairperson of the National Youth Council, Mr. Jacob Eyeru, praised President Museveni’s leadership, saying the past five
years had brought unprecedented benefits to Uganda’s youths, including allocating 30% of PDM funds directly to them.
“Your Excellency, this is historic. The Youth Livelihood Programme alone received over Shs 200 billion, while PDM gives Shs 300 billion each year to support young people. These interventions have funded tailors, boda boda riders, entrepreneurs and many others. For the first time, young people are also monitoring national programmes such as UPE,” Eyeru said.
He appealed for more resources to strengthen youth councils across the country, adding that digital transformation and affordable internet would be essential for Uganda’s competitiveness in the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The event was attended by cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, cultural leaders and religious leaders, among others.
