As Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day, young people across the country have been called upon to embrace and fully utilize government programmes designed to create jobs and improve livelihoods.
The message came from leaders in Masindi District, who urged the youth to shun idleness, embrace enterprise, and tap into opportunities available through government initiatives.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi District Chairperson (LC V), emphasizes that with young people forming the majority of Uganda’s population, they hold the power to drive the nation’s economic transformation if they take advantage of available programmes such as the Emyooga Initiative and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“As long as you are not in school, every young person should be engaged in production instead of waiting for jobs that may not be available,” Byaruhanga advised.
“Programmes like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model are specifically designed to empower you to create your own jobs and wealth. Embrace them, and you will not regret,” he adds.
He pointed out that many youths often waste valuable time chasing white-collar jobs that are scarce, yet the government has rolled out multiple initiatives to support them in agriculture, small-scale trade, and other productive sectors. Byaruhanga further encouraged young people in Masindi to explore opportunities in tourism and agriculture, which are key economic drivers in the district.
“Do not despise any activity that can generate income,” he said. “Whether it is vending, riding boda-bodas, or engaging in farming, all these ventures can provide a steady livelihood if approached with seriousness and hard work,” he adds.
Darius Nandinda, the Masindi District Resident District Commissioner (RDC), echoes the chairperson’s sentiments, stressing that the youth should focus on practical ways of building their future instead of engaging in endless political debates.
“Desist from opposition politicking and instead work with government for prosperity,” Nandinda advised. “Government cannot employ everyone, but it has created avenues where you can employ yourselves. If you embrace these programmes, you can create your own wealth and contribute to national development,” he adds.
He highlights that success does not necessarily come from white-collar jobs but from being enterprising, innovative, and open-minded.
“Your mindset matters more than your qualifications,” he adds. “Even without a degree, you can achieve success if you are focused and make use of the resources government has availed to you.”
Nandinda urges the youth to take advantage of cheap financing available under government programmes such as the Youth Livelihood Fund, Emyooga, and PDM. According to him, these funds were put in place to ease access to capital one of the biggest challenges faced by young entrepreneurs.
“Get cheap financing from government and use it to develop yourselves. Avoid misusing these funds on luxuries or short-term consumption. Instead, invest wisely in ventures that can generate income and employ others,” he cautions.
The leaders also reminds the youth that the journey to prosperity requires patience, discipline, and resilience. Byaruhanga and Nandinda both emphasized that while government can provide the enabling environment, it is up to the youth to seize opportunities, remain focused, and work hard.
The call is particularly timely as Uganda continues to face a youth unemployment challenge, with thousands of graduates entering the job market every year against limited formal employment opportunities. Government has therefore shifted its focus towards skills development, entrepreneurship, and community-based programmes that encourage self-reliance.
Programmes such as Emyooga, which targets specialized enterprise groups like boda-boda riders, mechanics, tailors, and market vendors, and the Parish Development Model, which channels development directly to households, are considered crucial in tackling poverty and unemployment.
Leaders in Masindi believe that if young people take these programmes seriously, the district—and the country at large—will witness rapid social and economic transformation.
