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Buganda Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Charles Peter Mayiga, has called on the leaders of the Buganda Youth Council to fulfill their duties by “walking the talk.” This means they should not only talk about their plans and goals but also take action to achieve them.
Mayiga posted this message on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after meeting with the youth leaders at Bulange-Mengo, the kingdom’s administrative headquarters. The Buganda Youth Council is the main governing body for the youth in the kingdom.
Mayiga highlighted that Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has dedicated his reign to focusing on the youth. The kingdom has introduced several programs that prioritize the youth, recognizing their significant role in development due to their large numbers and potential.
“We want to see the youth, especially the leaders, performing their duties by walking the talk. This is how we will restore Buganda’s glory,” he emphasized.
Statistics Highlight Youth Challenges
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Uganda has one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in the world, with a growth rate of 3.7%. A staggering 78% of Uganda’s population is under the age of 30, and over one million young people enter the job market each year.
In Uganda, a youth is defined as a person aged 18 to 30 years. The 2018 Uganda Population Report revealed that 1.2 million youth between the ages of 15 and 29 were not engaged in any productive activities. This idle youth population poses a significant challenge to sustainable development and economic growth.
The report also highlighted gender disparities, noting that the proportion of idle female youth was almost three times higher than that of males. The issue was more pronounced in urban areas (17%) compared to rural areas (12%).
From 2013 to 2015, the share of idle youth increased from 12% to 14%. The report indicated that the highest proportions of idle youth were female (19%), urban residents (17%), and those living in Northern (17%) and Central (16%) regions.
Call for Government Action
The report warned that the presence of a large idle youth population hinders the country’s progress towards achieving the demographic dividend and sustainable development. It urged the government to address this issue by implementing programs that promote youth employment and empowerment.
It suggested interventions such as strengthening the Youth Livelihood Programme and revisiting the Youth Venture Capital fund to provide more opportunities for young people.
Among employed youth, there are notable wage disparities based on gender, with males earning more than females. Youth employed in the public sector generally earn higher wages than those in the private sector. Additionally, youth in the Northern and Eastern regions are the least paid.
The agriculture sector employs the highest number of youth, followed by trade, manufacturing, and the transport sector.
The call from Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga to Buganda’s youth leaders to “walk the talk” is a reminder of the vital role that young people play in the kingdom’s development. With proper guidance and active participation, the youth can help restore Buganda’s glory and contribute to the overall progress of Uganda.