National Youth Cadres Association has launched its Strategic Plan to strengthen youth participation in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and advance Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilisation Moses Byaruhanga, welcomed the initiative by the youth to organise themselves, saying it would strengthen their contribution to national development.
He assured the youth of the government’s continued support for initiatives aimed at improving their livelihoods and participation in Uganda’s development programmes.
Byaruhanga however challenged the youth cadres to take an active role in fighting corruption, particularly in Government schools, health facilities and other public institutions.
“Fighting corruption is part of the responsibility of a cadre,” he said.
He also urged the youth to embrace government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that 30 percent of PDM funding is intended for the youth.
Byarugaba however observed that the uptake of the funds by young people remains below the targeted level.
“The Government has done its part, but you the youth are not doing enough. You, the youth, do not allow other people to take your money; utilise it for your growth,” Mr. Byaruhanga said.
He advised youth to channel challenges encountered in accessing PDM funds through their leaders so that implementation challenges and any gaps in the application of the guidelines can be addressed.
Byaruhanga further encouraged the youth to take advantage of the Emyooga programme and use the available financial opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
He pledged government support to National Cadres SACCOs through the Microfinance Support Centre, saying SACCOs with genuine financing needs, viable expansion plans and good financial discipline could benefit from the available support.
Representing the Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit Bamwine Mworozi, encouraged the youth to embrace cadreship and uphold the values and responsibilities that come with it.
Mworozi recalled that he became involved in cadreship in 1991 while at Makerere University, when being a cadre was difficult, saying it was encouraging to see young people embracing the role today.
He said the State House Anti-Corruption Unit remains committed to combating corruption, which he described as a major impediment to national development.
Mworozi called upon the youth to reject corrupt practices and actively participate in efforts to promote accountability and integrity in public service.
Ronald Tumuheirwe of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) commended the youth for their contribution to environmental conservation and public awareness initiatives, including HIV prevention.
He encouraged young people to explore opportunities in public procurement, noting that procurements below Shs10 million are allocated to youth enterprises as part of efforts to promote their participation in business.
Tumuheirwe said PPDA remains committed to supporting Government entities seeking to increase youth participation in public procurement.
Hafashimana Asimwe, the Kisoro District Youth Chairman representing the National Youth Council, urged young people to focus on issues that unite them rather than those that divide them.
The Chairperson of the National Youth Cadres Association, Mr. Ahumuza Penkson, said the association would use the new strategic plan to strengthen youth participation in national development, including through tree planting and other environmental conservation initiatives.
Karungi Proscovia, Chairperson of Fairway Village, welcomed the youth cadres to Fairway and expressed support for initiatives aimed at uplifting and uniting young people.
The Chairperson of the National Cadres SACCO, Nahamya Emmanuel, said the SACCO was established to promote financial inclusion and support young people in improving their livelihoods.
He said the SACCO has already ventured into activities including cattle rearing and operating a retail shop in Kawempe, but identified access to land and adequate office space among the challenges facing the organisation.
The launch brought together youth cadres and other stakeholders committed to strengthening youth participation in Government programmes, environmental conservation, the fight against corruption and Uganda’s broader socio-economic transformation
