Kigezi Youth Leaders Call For Increased Funding Of Youth Councils

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KABALE – A group of youth from Kigezi Sub-region have made an earnest plea to the government, urging an increase in funds to adequately support their district-level youth councils, ahead of the National Youth Day festivities.

This impassioned appeal was voiced during a constructive one-day dialogue, where youth leaders hailing from Kigezi Sub-region gathered to deliberate on matters affecting the youth within the area. The insightful discourse took place at the Cephas Inn Hotel situated in Kabale Municipality.

The event was skillfully organized by the Naguru Teenage Health and Information Centre, an organization dedicated to advocating for and enhancing access to quality Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services. Their focus encompasses areas like confidentiality, gender considerations, the right to choose, and the provision of evidence-based information to young people, primarily in Kampala.

Ronald Bagamuhunda, the youth counselor for Kabale District, emphasized that while the government has initiated commendable youth programs such as the Youth Livelihood Funds and Capital Venture Fund, there remains room for greater empowerment. Bagamuhunda acknowledged the hurdles faced by youth in executing these programs, as the government’s current allocation of funds falls short of meeting their substantial demands. In his assessment, Kabale District receives a modest allocation of 4.3 Million each financial year, which is utilized to support youth gatherings, councils, and the organization of district-level youth functions.

Mpirirwe Adrinah, the Secretary of Finance for Kanungu District Youth Affairs, echoed similar sentiments revealing that their district receives a mere 1 Million per quarter from the government which is deemed insufficient to effectively facilitate the district council’s endeavors.

Adrinah earnestly appealed to the government to prioritize the youth and allocate more substantial resources to the youth budget, starting from the national level and trickling down to the grassroots, thereby fortifying youth empowerment.

CUE IN BAGAMUHUNDA & MPIRIRWE….ON FUNDS…..RR/ENG//

Nonetheless, Tadeo Taremwa, the Youth Chairperson for Kabale District, provided a glimmer of hope amidst these concerns. He announced that an all-encompassing report is being compiled, with the intent of presenting it before President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to seek guidance and solutions for empowering the youth and aiding them in recovering from the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CUE IN TADEO….ON THE MATTER…..RR/ENG//

Dr. Rogers Ampwera, the Executive Director of Naguru Teenage Information and Health Center, stressed the need for united efforts to combat these challenges and to empower young people with knowledge to make informed decisions about their lives and bodies.

“We appreciate the role that the line Ministries are playing in supporting the 2030 agenda. As CSOs, we do ensure that government programs and priorities are enhanced. We are also supporting & complimenting Gov’t service delivery”. Dr Ampwera asserted.

Closing the Dialogue, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Kabale, Ronald Bakak asked youth to be patriotic and embrace government programs.

The anticipated celebrations are poised to take place this upcoming Friday at the Lower Playground of Kigezi High School, nestled within Kabale Municipality. Notably, the esteemed guest of honor will be none other than President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni himself.

Under the poignant theme, “Accelerating Recovery from Covid-19 and Full Implementation of the 2030 Agenda: The Role of Youth,” this year’s celebration carries profound significance. It underscores the indispensable role that young individuals play in surmounting the adversities posed by the pandemic, while simultaneously propelling progress towards the achievement of the 2030 development objectives.