Ugandan youth have been urged to embrace responsible and environmentally friendly investments if they are to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to long-term national development.
The call was made during the Youth Mentorship Programme held at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Demonstration Centre in Kyanja, where farmers, academics, policymakers, and entrepreneurs converged to discuss one central question: How can Uganda grow its economy without exhausting the natural resources that sustain it?
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Clovis Kabaseke of Mountains of the Moon University urged young people to see themselves as “stewards of nature, not destroyers.” He stressed that chasing profits at the expense of the environment is short-sighted and would ultimately harm future generations.
“Humanity and nature must coexist, or the effects of climate change will be far worse than we imagine. Look anywhere and you see the unchecked destruction of wetlands, forests, and fragile ecosystems it’s your time to pioneer a new approach to wealth creation,” Kabaseke told participants.
To drive the point home, he contrasted exploitative activities with renewable wealth creation. “A charcoal burner earns sh90,000 once; a carpenter earns sh300,000 from timber; but a nursery operator selling seedlings can earn sh3 million every three months. That is the difference between exploitation and renewable wealth,” he explained.
Kabaseke further highlighted untapped opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness. From mushroom farming and beekeeping to honey, fruits, and vegetables, he said Uganda has an abundance of resources that remain underutilized. “While global markets crave tropical fruit juice, vegetables and fruits rot in many parts of Uganda. Young people must rethink how to add value and tap into these global value chains,” he emphasized.
The mentorship programme showcased several youth-led agroecological innovations, including yoghurt, coffee, peanut butter, and herbal lotions, all of which demonstrated that sustainability can indeed be profitable. According to organizers, these examples are proof that youth can generate income while protecting the environment and contributing to food security.
Another youthful mentor, Dauphine Ampaire from Mbarara, encouraged peers to venture into enterprises like beekeeping, which offer both ecological and financial benefits.
“Honey, lotions, and even artificial hair made from natural materials have a ready market but you must actively participate to succeed in beehiving, harvesting, and adding value, instead of merely supervising,” she advised.
Ampaire underscored that many opportunities fail because young people want quick returns without committing time, skills, and patience. “It is not enough to have capital. Business requires full involvement and resilience,” she added.
Meanwhile, Lynet Nakidde of St. Jude Family Projects in Masaka issued a tough but important reminder to her peers: idleness and unrealistic expectations are among the biggest obstacles facing today’s youth.
“Many young people dream of smartphones, TVs, and fancy homes while still depending on their parents. Hard work must replace wishful thinking as seen in movies,” Nakidde said, drawing applause from the audience.
She encouraged youth to embrace agriculture and skill-based ventures as stepping stones to financial independence. “Start small but stay consistent. When you put in the effort, doors of opportunity open,” she emphasized.
The event also sparked a wider conversation on how Uganda can align its development agenda with environmental conservation. Participants agreed that the youth who make up the largest share of the population have both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead this transformation.
Experts at the forum stressed that with the right mentorship, access to information, and support in financing, Uganda’s young population can move away from destructive practices and instead champion a green economy. Such a shift, they said, would not only create jobs but also safeguard natural resources for future generations.
As the mentorship programme closed, one message stood out: sustainable wealth creation is possible when young people choose innovation over exploitation, responsibility over short-term gain, and hard work over idleness.
