State of The Youth Report

Assessing Government THE STATE OF THE
Investment in Young People YOUTH REPORT
THE
STATE
OF THE
YOUTH
REPORT
Assessing Government
Investment in Young People
August, 2O19 | 1
THE STATE OF THE
YOUTH REPORT
Citation:
E. Kwesiga, R. Wamajji, P. Mubangizi and G. Mwesigye (2019). State of the
Youth Report in Uganda: Assessing Government’s investment in young peo-
ple. Centre for Policy Analysis, Kampala.
Authors:
Eshban Kwesiga
Head of Programs & Analyst at CEPA
ekwesiga@cepa.or.ug
Reagan Wamajji
Programs Associate & Analyst at CEPA
rwamajji@cepa.or.ug
Godfrey Mwesigye
Programs Associate & Researcher at CEPA
gmwesigye@cepa.or.ug
Prosper Mubangizi
Policy Analyst/ Youth Inclusion & Governance Expert
prosperm@cepa.or.ug
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise
without the prior written permission of the publisher. The reproduction or use of this publication
for academic or charitable purpose or for purposes of informing public policy is excluded from
these reservations.
CONTENTS
ACRONYMS 4
Acknowledgements 5
Executive Summary 6
1.0 BACKGROUND 7
1.2 METHODOLOGY. 8
1.2.2 CONTENT SCOPE. 8
2.0 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 9
2.1 STATE OF THE YOUTH POPULATION DYNAMICS IN EAST AFRICA. 9
3.0 STATE OF THE YOUTH IN UGANDA. 11
3.1 JOBS! JOBS! JOBS 11
3.2 YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE 17
4.0 HEALTH CARE FOR ALL 20
5.0 YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING. 25
6.0 EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES. 29
7.0 CREATIVE ARTS 33
8.0 POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARIZED. 35
CONCLUSION 36
REFERENCES 38
August, 2O19 | 3
THE STATE OF THE Assessing Government
YOUTH REPORT Investment in Young People
ACRONYMS
BFP Budget Framework Paper
FY Financial Year
EAC East African Community
MDA Ministries, Departments Agencies
MOEMD Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development
MOES Ministry of Education and Sports
MPS Ministerial Policy Statement
MOGLSD Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
MPS Ministerial Policy Statement
NRM National Resistance Movement
NYM National Youth Manifesto
SMES Small and Medium Enterprises
TNYM Technical National Youth Manifesto
UPFYA Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs
YLP Youth Livelihood Programme
4 | August, 2O19
Acknowledgements
This research report on the state of youth in Uganda is published with support from Centre for
Policy Analysis, Westminster Foundation for democracy, Action Aid Uganda, Restless development
and Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs.
The research team comprised of experts in public policy, governance and parliamentary democracy
with a focus on youth inclusion for sustainable development. We are grateful to the authors of
report; Eshban Kwesiga, Reagan Wamajji, Prosper Mubangizi and Geofrey Mwesigye for the effort
they put into compiling this report.
We acknowledge the great work by the research assistants in conducting the survey across all
regions of the country. The team was comprised of: Ms. Kibirigi Rachel, Ms. Matovu Shamira,
Mr. Chemonges Timothy, Mr. Kinani Allan Ms. Mutesi Allen, Ms. Mbanza Pauline, Mr. Mudingotto
Ladslaus and Ms. Nalubega Suzan.
We acknowledge the strategic inputs from Mr. Atukwase Primus Bahiigi the Manager Global
platforms at Action Aid-Uganda and Rachel Proefke from Restless Development Uganda.
We acknowledge the input and support of the various partners. This report is produced with support
from Restless Development, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) Uganda, Action Aid
Uganda (AAU) and Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs (UPFYA).
August, 2O19 | 5
Executive Summary
Uganda is having a youthful population whose potential must be tapped into in the journey to
middle income status by 2020 and an upper middle-income nation by 2040 with an average GDP
per capita of US $ 9500. To achieve this demographic dividend, clearly targeted and tailor-made
interventions and efforts should be invested into bringing up a crop of young Ugandans ready to
lead an upper middle-income Uganda into a first world country. These investments are in areas of
education, skills development, health care access, sustainable use of nature and the environment,
environmental stewardship, diversification of the economy and good governance.
The State of the Youth Report is an annual evaluation of government’s investment in its young
people based on the demands made in the 2016-2021 National Youth Manifesto. The assessment
is based on five thematic areas which are jobs, education, health care, participation in decision
making, sports and creative arts. The findings in this report are generated after a nationwide
study involving youth selected solely on the basis of their age not political affiliation or social and
economic status.
The assessment gathered from the youth across the country and the analysis of government
policies and legislative action that health care is the demand that government has invested in
the most while the sports sector and creative arts are least invested in. Youth participation was
discussed mainly in the perspective of tokenism and political gerrymandering and 70% of the study
participants expressed a lack of confidence in the National Youth Councilors to effectively represent
their voices. Concerning the education sector, government was lauded for its efforts to increase
education access through USE and UPE. However, the education system was queried on grounds
that it is more theoretical that practical and that it is not sufficient enough to churn out a graduate
that can effectively negotiate the labour market terrain.
The report recommends that policies and laws that have already been passed, the implementing
modalities should be improved upon and strengthened. For other demands that have not been
fulfilled, the report recommends that effort to do so be expedited. It is also recommended that
Uganda undertake a deliberate investment strategy into its young people most especially as far as
jobs and employment are concerned. A robust School to Work Transition mechanism is needed if
Uganda is to stop this jobless growth that has been blossoming for the last 20 years. The report
recommends more investments in the ICT sector, which is very attractive to young people and has
the potential to attract increased investments from the private sector, thus further creating more
jobs.
Prioritizing the investment for the youth largely requires increasing funding in the above sectors
with a special focus on youth programs. We observe that generalization of some government
programs with no special attention to young people makes them a marginalized group.
6 | August, 2O19
1.0
BACKGROUND
The definition of youth is a very subjective 1.1 About the State of Youth Report
undertaking characterized by varied responses
and outcomes in definition based on the various In the run up to the 2016 general elections the
context specific undertones. The United Nations Youth Coalition on Electoral Democracy (YCED)
working documents define youth as a person through a highly consultative process developed
aged between 15 and 24 while a young person the National Youth Manifesto 2016-2021 that
is someone between 15 and 35 according to the sedemands to be addressed by the government.
African Union. In Uganda, youth are categorized The demands are under five thematic areas:
as persons aged 18 to 35 years according to the Jobs, Education, Health, Youth Participation and
1995 Constitution while the National Youth policy Sports and Creative Arts and they espouse the
puts the cap to being a youth at 30 years of age. aspirations of young people in the country and
This report takes cognizance of the fact that call for government action on the same.
some if not most of the young people remain in
education system way beyond the age of 24 and The government committed to fulfill the
hence will take the legal definition of who a youth demands of the young people as embedded
is and that is between 18 and 35years of age. in the National Youth Manifesto 2016-2021
This definition allows the opportunity to capture (NYM). The NYM also has a set Monitoring and
more information on the living experiences of Evaluation framework; the Technical National
young people in Uganda. Youth Manifesto (NTYM) that provides a basis
for tracking performance and the overall impact
The Annual State of the Youth report builds made in the target population by interventions
on the current and former global, continental, of government.
regional and national development blueprints,
namely, the post 2015 Development Agenda The 2019 State of the Youth Report therefore
(the Sustainable Development Goals), the reviewed the level at which the government
African Union Agenda 2063, the East African has been able to fulfil its commitments between
Community Vision 2050 and the Uganda Vision 2016 and 2019. The report most specifically,
2040 as well as the 2016/2021. The National underscores the policy and legislative
Youth Manifesto builds on the interlinkages frameworks based on the demands in the
between these developments agendas 2016-2021 National Youth Manifesto, the key
indicators and expected progress indicated in
the National Technical Youth Manifesto as of July
2019.
August, 2O19 | 7
1.2 METHODOLOGY c) Key Informant Interviews
Key informants were interviewed to buttress the

1.2.1 Data collection methods desk reviewed literature. These included young
people across the country, policy analysts and
a) Document review makers in the public sector and key players
from the key private sector institutions. Key
The report examined the ministerial policy informant interviews were conducted. These will
statements,budget speeches, State of the included policy analysts and technical staff from
Nation Address and other budget documents the Ministries of Education and Sports, Health,
presented by the different Ministries to Education,Agriculture, political parties (NRM
Parliament. The policy statements set out the and FDC), National Youth Council leadership,
performance and plans of spending agencies, civil society, and private sector actors.
linking them with the policy objectives.
Summarizing past performances of the sector 1.2.2 Content Scope
and the plans for the future expenditure
and activities as well as anticipated sectoral This report focuses on the five thematic
challenges and strategies. The study reviewed areas as per the National Youth Manifesto,
the aforementioned documents for the period measured against the expected progress as of
between the years 2016 to 2019. These were July 2019 which includes, Jobs, Healthcare for
assessed against the technical youth manifesto all, Education for opportunities, Sports and C
indicators and commitments of government. reative arts; and Youth participation in decision
● Review of existing policies on private sector making.
growth and investment
“
These policies, including among others
government taxation and investment policies,
will provide insights on private sector
performance in each of the five thematic areas
and how this contributes to youth development. The government committed
to fulfill the demands of the
b) Survey method
A nationwide survey was conducted among the
young people as embedded
youth across all regions in Uganda; Central, in the NATIONAL YOUTH
Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern
MANIFESTO 2016-2021
Uganda. The respondents were randomly
selected from the mentioned regions and were (NYM).
“
interviewed using a researcher administered
questionnaire.
8 | August, 2O19
2.0 Research has indicated that all the countries

in the region, as indeed is the case for most
SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS African countries, will experience a significant

increase in the total population for the next
According to 2019 estimates, Uganda’s 30-50 years, irrespective of what population
population is at 44 million with a 3.3% growth and social development policies the countries
rate per annum1 and more than 78% of adopt.3 This is being attributed to the decades of
Ugandans are young people aged 30 or below. It high fertility that have created a high population
can only be guaranteed that the number of momentum, implying that even if total fertility
youths will keep increasing. How the government reached replacement level which demographic
harnesses the capabilities of today’s youth and and population experts put at a global ceiling of
generates opportunities for future youth will be 2.1 children per woman in the next few years,
key for Uganda’s ability to tap into a potential there will still be large numbers of women
added to the pool of reproductive women every
demographic dividend.
year. Hence, the issue of having a youthful
population is not just an issue of the present
Pledges of the NRM to the youth but also a future case scenario that we must
begin preparing for if a demographic dividend is
in the 2016-2021 manifesto.
to be utilized.
• Invest in training the youth to
However, the policy direction that we adopt
acquire skills required in the job
today can influence the pace of growth and the
market.
level at which the population will be stable.
• Deliberate effort will be made to
It is anticipated that the youth population by
create an environment that offers
2065 will be 7.2 million in Rwanda, 30 million
opportunities to create jobs for the
in Kenya, 48 million in Tanzania, and 42 million
youth.
in Uganda.4 The consequences of the growth in
• Continue to fund the youth who are population size and high dependency ratio will
not in formal employment to enable be increased pressure on basic social services
them create jobs for themselves and like education, health care, housing and
also employ others. infrastructure.
The increasing youth population will also put

pressure on land, water, and other natural
2.1 STATE OF THE YOUTH POPULATION resources and this could contribute to food
insecurity and resource-based conflicts not
DYNAMICS IN EAST AFRICA. forgetting the environmental consequences
that are associated with an increasing but
The East African Countries are experiencing
uncoordinated and unplanned for youth sector.
what can be termed as a youth bulge.2
1 http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/ugan- we get a bulge in the population pyramid
da-population/ 3 UKAID, EARF & AFIDEP (2018). An Analysis of the East
2 A youth bulge is a temporary demographic phenomenon African Regional Youth Demographics.
which occurs when child mortality declines and fertility falls rapidly so 4 UN Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects:
that the previous cohort of births is larger than subsequent cohorts. As The 2014 Revision, CD-ROM Edition. In: United Nations Department of
the large cohorts of births move into the working ages (15-64 years), Economic and Social Affairs PD, ed; 2014.
August, 2O19 | 9
In Uganda, for instance, the secondary school Based on the above illustration, if the level of
going population will increase from 5.8 to 16.2 investment in young people remains “business
million meaning that there will be increased as usual” by 2050, the GDP per capita will be
pressure and demand for more education $927, $896, $2264, $2063 for Uganda, Kenya,
services like schools and teachers. Rwanda and Tanzania respectively. If these
Governments undertake a robust investment
Investments in areas that are crucial to reaping
in critical areas affecting the young generation
a demographic dividend and helping the nations
(health care, education and skill development,
utilize the advantage of a youthful population
governance, environmental sustainability,
are, if not lacking, not well structured and
implemented. Sectors like a robust education
“
system that imparts skills for employment,
job creation and entrepreneurship, transition
mechanisms from school to the labour
market, health services like SRHR and basic
healthcare access, housing and a well structure
urban infrastructure system, transport and It is anticipated that
communication among others are very much the youth population
missing.
by 2065 WILL
Because of this, it is highly feared that like
South Africa and Tunisia, the EAC countries will
BE 7.2 MILLION
not be able to profit from the demographic IN RWANDA, 30
dividend. 5
MILLION IN KENYA,
Reaping a demographic dividend warrants that 48 MILLION IN
structures are put in place for a healthy, creative,
innovative and productive youthful population. TANZANIA, and
It has been posited that the Asian Tigers and 42 MILLION IN
Ireland benefited from the demographic
UGANDA.
“
dividend by about 25% to 33% for them to be
the global rising powers that they are today.
Source: Authors’ calculations based on DFID,

EARF and AFIDEP Analysis of EAC Youth
Demographics.
5 World Economic Forum, African Development Bank, World

Bank. The Africa Competitiveness Report 2017: Addressing Africa’s
Demographic Dividend. Geneva, Switzerland 2017
10 | August, 2O19
Graph showing GDP per capita growth of EAC Countries by 2050 if they invested in youth vs if
the current status remained.
among others), the GDP per capita will increase

to $3483, $4595, $3457, $3878 for the
3.0
respective countries.
STATE OF THE YOUTH IN
The African Union, through various policy
blueprints like the Agenda 2063, has UGANDA
established a desired roadmap for harnessing
the demographic dividend6 and this road map 3.1 JOBS! JOBS! JOBS
has been clear on the need to harness the
demographic dividend and has consequently Situational Analysis of the current
identified four pillars which are important in state of employment
this endeavour and these are: employment
and entrepreneurship; education and skills It should be noted that the creation of jobs to
development; health and wellbeing; and rights, meet the demands of large youth populations
governance, and youth empowerment. requires both local and foreign domestic invest-
ment, enabling environments for entrepreneur-
ship and good governance and accountability.
Governance and accountability are particularly
important in ensuring that youth have equita-
ble access to the available jobs, particularly in
the formal sector.
The biggest challenge young people face in

acquiring employment is lack of experience.
Most of the jobs on the market require
6 African Development Bank. African Economic Outlook
2018; 2018. candidates to have acquired some minimum
August, 2O19 | 11
level of experience which is estimated at 2 years yet most of the youth do not have such experience
after school. This was confirmed by the results from our survey where the majority (43.2%) indicated
it as a problem limiting them from acquiring jobs and next to it was lack of appropriate skills at 38.1%
as indicated in the figure below.
Figure: What is the biggest challenge young people face in search for employment
Source: Survey results 2019
To many young people, unemployment is the run manufacturing similar to countries such
most imminent problem they face as it affects as China, Brazil and India whose ownership
their socio-economic wellbeing and quality of state run companies is over 50% through
of life. The 2016/17 Uganda National Public Private Partnerships.
Household Survey by the Uganda Bureau of
Statistics estimates the unemployment rate at Figure3: Who is best placed to support young
people to get jobs?
9% (those actively looking for employment but
had not found any) but the World Bank places
it at over 80%.
The results from our survey indicated that the

majority of young people (50.6%) expect the
government to support them to acquire jobs
and 24.2% indicated that the private sector is
best placed to provide employment as indicated
in the figure below. This is representative
of the high expectations young people have
of the government to provide economic
opportunities for them. As such, government
should involve itself as an active player in state
12 | August, 2O19
There are sex differences in employment

with males to be more likely to acquire Government commitment to youth
employ ment than females with employment.
13% of female youth were unemployed
compared to 6% male counterparts who Encourage the youth to undertake integrated patrio-
had no jobs. tism, skilling and elementary military science training
in order to re-orient mind-sets, attitudes and percep-
Urban unemployed youths were at 14 tions of the youth towards vocational skills, hard work
% while about 6% of rural areas are and national values. This will improve the country’s la-
unemployed. Kampala also exhibited the bour productivity and also make it more competitive
highest unemployment rates (21%) while within the region.
West Nile sub region had the least (3%)7.
Despite a seemingly low unemployment Organise a crash vocational training programme for
rate, most of Uganda’s work opportunities over 50,000 unemployed graduates in humanities and
are largely informal at 7.7 million, social sciences to enhance their employability skills.
precarious, and poorly remunerated.
Underemployment among young people Support youth who come up with innovations, espe-
also has far reaching consequences on cially in software applications, to commercialize their
their socio-economic wellbeing but has not products.
captured the attention of various relevant
stakeholders. The ongoing skilling programmes in the country will be
stepped up to enhance capacity of school leavers for
self-employment and employability
In addition to these initiatives, unemployed graduates

will be re-skilled in vocational disciplines to enhance
their employability and capacity for self-employment.
Enhance the capacity of implementing agencies such

as the Business,Technical and Vocational Education
and Training (BTVET), the Directorate of Industrial
Training (DIT), the Technical and Industrial Education
and Training (TIET) with a view to produce graduates
with skills that are relevant to the country’s current
needs.
Empower disadvantaged groups of society like rural

women, youth and the disabled by giving them equal
opportunity to skilling and employment.
-We will continue to protect our children from all forms
of child labour, including combating all forms of human
trafficking.
7 Uganda Household Survey, 2017
August, 2O19 | 13
Uganda has experienced a tremendous growth Among the demands made in the NYM was to
trajectory, averaging at 6.5% over the last 30 warrant government to institute measures to
years.8 However, this growth has not brought require employers, particularly foreign investors
with it increased employment opportunities and to: target at least 40% local youth in recruitment
has been termed by many as “jobless” growth. A and to procure from the area within which
1% growth in GDP in Uganda, creates only 400 they operate. In addition to regulations, this
jobs as opposed to the 10,000 expected to be report suggests that a one year tax break
created9. There must be an employment demand should be offered to young people under the
to rival the supply of labour, to create an optimal age of 35 years as first time business owners
employment level. The already fragile situation who have not been directors in any companies
is fueled by the rapid population growth of before, as long as the company employs three
3.3 percent which has led to a 78 % population people, including two directors as required by
under 30 years. law and one extra employee.
The 2016-2021 National Youth Manifesto The government passed the Buy Uganda Build
calls for holistic interventions to improve the Uganda (BUBU) policy, with the intent to
employment environment in Uganda through increase consumption of local products and
an enabling legal and policy environment to increasing demand of the locally established
facilitate job creation, skills development and firms in domestic trade. However, the lack of
enterprise opportunities for young Ugandans. implementing modalities, coupled with lack
The demands encompass the needs of all youth of sanctions for non-observance of the policy
despite ability, age, ethnicity, and gender and especially for government institutions means it
are meant to be achieved over the 5 year period having little or no impact at all.
from 2016 to 2021.
In February 2017 Parliament granted Hon.

In this report, the various demands on jobs and Patrick Nsamba leave to introduce the Local
employment are grouped into distinct but broad Content Bill 2017 as a private members bill,
categories; skills development, infrastructure for however, the lack of political will from the
job creation and opportunities and enterprise. government for both the BUBU policy and the
bill has slowed the progress thereof.
i) Skills Development.
Other policies such as the PPDA Act Section
The capacity of Uganda’s human resource has 2(e) provides for preference of domestically
always been cast in serious doubt. An analysis manufactured goods and Ugandan contractors
of value added per worker shows that compared and consultants, in order to promote their
to most East African Countries, Uganda’s labour development, by giving them a competitive
force performs comparatively lower in labour advantage when competing for public
productivity10. procurement contracts, to foreign manufactured
goods, foreign contractors or foreign consultants.
8 Budget speech for fiscal year 2018/19 by the Hon. Matia
Kasaija, Minister of MoFPED The PPDA guidelines on reservation schemes to
9 Yusuf Kiranda, Max Walter, Michael Mugisha (2017), REAL-
ITY CHECK: Employment, Entrepreneurship and Education in Uganda promote local content in public procurement are
10 MoGLSD. Social Sector Development Plan
14 | August, 2O19
also being implemented. PPDA maintains that ii) Requisite Infrastructure for Job
number of contracts awarded to local producers Creation.
is very high at 99% because of the small nature
of procurements made in the financial year.11 The NYM further realizes the need to
‘Strengthen implementation and
monitoring of legislation that requires
The Nakawa Centre is one of the five hubs
all foreign contractors to develop and
that the government intends to construct
implement a technology transfer plan’.
countrywide to facilitate the development of ICT
The oil sector has attempted to streamline
in the country. Steps must be taken to ensure
the transfer of technology to locals through
these are accessible to all youth and ensure
legislation1213. Licensees are required to submit
they are geared to the NDP II growth areas.
to the government a report on procurements
The National Development Plan, 2016-2020,
(utilization of Ugandan goods and services) and
the government seeks to also put regional hubs
training and employment of Ugandans within 60
in Mbarara, Mbale, Gulu, and Arua.
days and 30 days,
In order to facilitate a proper school to work

transition, the youth called for efforts to fast- Case study: Guiding policies on local
track the establishment of National Youth content in the oil and gas sector
Service and Internship Schemes by all sectors
including Government. After a delay to fast track The National oil and Gas policy and subsequent
this demand, the Uganda Parliamentary Forum regulations; the Petroleum (Exploration,
on Youth Affairs supported the development of Development and Production) (National Content)
a private members bill, the National Graduate Regulations, Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 44 of
Service Scheme Bill 2018, was moved by Hon. 2016 and the Petroleum (Refining, Conversion,
Waira Majegere. The Bill which is currently Transmission and Midstream Storage) (National
under consideration by the Parliamentary Content) Regulations, (S.I.) 34 of 2016 provide
committee on Gender, Labour, and Social legal and policy frameworks that safeguard
Development, seeks to provide a long-term Ugandans participation in the oil and gas sector.
and effective means of developing Ugandan The regulations require any licensee, contractor
society whilst simultaneously developing the and sub-contractor to give priority to goods and
abilities of young people through service and services that are produced and available in Uganda
learning. Moving forward, further consultations and which are rendered by Ugandan citizens
and policy development process on this policy and companies in their petroleum activities. The
should endear the private sector, which is a provisions also warrant the training and transfer of
major contributor to youth employment and knowledge/technology to indigenous Ugandans and
development. ring fence, some goods and services for example
security, foods and beverages, hotel accommodation
for supply by Ugandan citizens and companies.
respectively, after the end of each calendar year.

12 Petroleum Act sec 125 4(b)
11 Report the performance of the public procurement system 13 Article 21.1 of the Production Sharing Agreements
for FY 2016/17 (PSAs)
August, 2O19 | 15
Another NYM demand on the labour ii) Enterprise and Youth Start Ups.
infrastructure was to ‘Institute labour export
regulations and policies to eliminate human Uganda is ranked as one of the World’s most
trafficking and improve working conditions entrepreneurial countries with 28% of its adult
of youth in the Diaspora’. It should be noted population co-own a new business according
that the Government of Uganda has a Labour to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM).
Externalization programme as strategic initiative However, there are a lot of disturbing statistics
intended to facilitate recruitment of Ugandan as indicated in the table 6.
migrant workers to decent employment
opportunities and promote the protection of their
rights and welfare in destination countries. The • Almost 30% of the Young Ugandans (18-
programme is implemented under the Ministry 34) are actually engaged in the early stages
of Gender, Labour and Social Development of setting up and running a business.
(MoGLSD) and is responsible for licensing and • Uganda’s young people are under-educat-
regulating private recruitment companies/ ed and ill equipped to manage commercial
agencies; and signing bilateral agreements on enterprises beyond the one person start-up
behalf of Uganda with countries interested in phase
importing labour from Uganda14 . • Well over two thirds of young Ugandans
(18 – 34) survive on less than USD 800 per
Between the FY 2014/15 to FY 2016/17, year
facilitated recruitment of an estimated 70,000 • Only 6% of young entrepreneurs cite finan-
Ugandan migrant workers to jobs in UAE, Saudi cial institutions as the source of their cap-
Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, ital; other sources are family, friends and
Somalia, Afghanistan and Mali. The Ministry personal resources.
has concluded bilateral agreements between • 89% of young entrepreneurs had not
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Hashmite received support from any policies or
Kingdom of Jordan and are still negotiating with schemes to help them in businesses
Qatar, UAE and Oman15. However, given the • 1.8 Million Ugandan Youth are running busi-
lucrative nature of the labour export business, it nesses informally
has been bedeviled by human rights abuses • Over 80% of them admit that their product
of the migrant workers and human trafficking. lines have not changed over time indicating
There was an outcry for a regulatory framework little or no growth
to the labour export industry. • Uganda’s business discontinuation rates
are at 26% and among the highest in the
world, with many of these businesses un-
able to see their first birthday.
14 Prosper Mubangizi (2019). The Externalization of Labour

Bill: Why Uganda Needs to Embrace but regulate the labour export
industry. Accessed from http://cepa.or.ug/8328/the-externalization-
of-labour-bill-why-uganda-needs-to-embrace-but-regulate-the-la-
bour-export-industry/
15 Press briefing Janat Mukwaya press briefing on the death
of Ugandans in the UAE, 20th October 2018
16 | August, 2O19
The Externalization of Labour Bill and The Anti- II, Vision 2040 and the NRM manifesto have
Slavery Bill are before the floor of parliament very decisive focus on youth livelihoods and
seeking to buttress the existing efforts to employment. The Vision 2040 predicts improve-
regulate the industry. ments in employment levels and labour market
conditions through a mix of measures that in-
clude: implementation of the National Employ-
The statistics in the table indicate a need for a
ment Policy as well as other laws, policies and
policy shift to support Start Up Entrepreneurs.
guidelines on labour productivity and employ-
It was proposed that government Instigate
ment; strengthening of labour market infor-
measures to support youth business start-
mation systems; establishment of a minimum
ups and to nurture new businesses.
wage; provision of non-formal skills develop-
ment targeted at women and youth; and en-
One the flash ship government initiatives in this hancement of opportunities for medium-sized
regard has been the Youth Livelihood Program businesses through improved access to finance,
(YLP). The program has registered moderate entrepreneurship training and promotion of val-
performance to date as indicated by the Ministry ue chains. NDP II includes proposed major in-
of Gender Labour and Social development. vestment in transport, energy, ICT and water
According to the YLP Success Stories statistics, infrastructure.
200,000 direct and 500,000 indirect jobs had
been created as of May 2019 while a total of 3.2 YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE
19,305 youth projects in groups have been
financed, with 232,325 youth benefiting, of
whom 46% are female. The projects financed Uganda has about 5.5 million hectares of arable
are in various sectors, including Agriculture land that is suitable for agricultural purposes.
(35%), Trade (29%), Services (19%) and The country also boosts of 49% of arable land
Industry (5%) among others. Various vulnerable as regards the East African regional land mass.
categories of youth have been reached including The sector employs about 65% of Uganda’s
school dropouts (34.6%), single-parent youth working population with youth comprising of
(11.8percent), and youth with disabilities 63%16. Labour underutilization is rampant in the
(2.8%), among others. informal sector, in which agriculture constitutes
most of the informal jobs. In the 2015 School
to Work Transition Survey by UBOS, 57.2% of
There has also been a legislative effort to amend them were engaged in the agricultural sector. It
the Uganda Development Bank Act to cater for is estimated that about 71% of young men and
special funding for youth enterprises. On March women working in this sector are ‘vulnerable’.
29th Parliament granted Hon. Mwine Mpaka They are unpaid family helpers with inadequate
(Western Youth MP) leave to introduce a Private earnings, working under difficult conditions that
member’s bill entitled the Uganda Development undermine workers’ fundamental rights. The
Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2018. The bill seeks to contribution of agriculture to GDP at current
streamline development financing for the youth. market prices is 23.5%17 despite employing quite
a number of people; this may be attributed to
Policy response.
16 National Strategy for youth employment in Agriculture,
2017
Several planning frameworks such as the NDP 17 UBOS Statistical abstract 2017
August, 2O19 | 17
Though more than two-thirds of Figure 4: Why do young people have no access to
financing for agriculture?
young Africans who live in rural
areas work in the agriculture
sector, it is the least productive
sector in African economies.
Investments in the agriculture
sector provide perhaps the
best opportunity for Africa
to harness the demographic
dividend
the 6 million households engaged in subsistence

agriculture. Source: Survey results 2019
Most young people lack the prerequisites to The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry
accessing formal banking services in Uganda. and Fisheries (MAAIF) through the National
Access to financing for agriculture is the greatest Agricultural Policy, 2013 and the Agriculture
challenge the youth involved in agriculture Sector Strategic Plan (ASSP 2015-2020) aim
face. From our survey results, 79.6% of the to attract, retain and support youth and their
youth do not have access to affordable credit employment in the various aspects of the
for agriculture. Among the factors that hinder agriculture value chain. The government has
young people from accessing credit, lack of set up a UGX 52.9 billion National Strategy
information about the existing affordable loans for youth employment in Agriculture over the
stood at 32.5%. This was followed by lack of next five years. The strategy whose vision is
collateral security with a representation of to “economically empower youth from gainful
33.8%. employment in agriculture.” will emphasize
strengthening the enabling environment, youth
oriented agricultural extension, youth education,
youth entrepreneurship, addressing risks and
uncertainties and M&E and Inflation.
In our survey, 61.9% of participants revealed that

the government has fairly supported the youth
18 | August, 2O19
involved agriculture as indicated in the figure

The Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives
below. Surprisingly, it was also established that
registered more than 16,500 cooperative societies
65.8% of the youth who participated in the
as at July 2015 while the cooperative societies Bill,
survey did not know any young person who
2016 estimates that there are 12,615 registered
had received direct support for agriculture from
cooperatives in Uganda. Cooperatives, because of
government.
their nature to avail affordable credit services to
their members, are believed to be a niche for people
Figure 5: Has Government been supportive to who have difficulty in accessing loans from financial
the youth in agriculture? institutions such as banks, SACCOs and others of the
sort. Young people have not amassed enough assets
to present as collateral security to banks and this
makes cooperatives become the best alternatives for
their financial sourcing, however, the government
has not made the cooperative model its priority. Case
study 3: Interventions on agricultural financing
Bank of Uganda in partnership with Commercial

Banks, through the Agricultural Credit Facility,
offered at maximum rate of 10percent per annum is
available for use. The facility is intended to provide
medium and long term loans to projects engaged in
agriculture and agro-processing on more favorable
terms than are usually available from the PFIs. The
scheme is administered by the Bank of Uganda
Government committed in the 2011- (BoU), with provision for a maximum grace period
2020 BTVET Strategic Plan to; of 3 years and the interest rate to the final borrower
being a maximum of 10percent per annum. Uganda
Expand and improve agriculture training
Development Bank Ltd (UDBL), Micro Deposit
Establish, improve and expand facilities for Taking Institutions (MDIs) and Credit Institutions
agriculture BTVET all referred to as Participating Financial institutions
Strengthen linkages of BTVET institutions (PFIs). President Museveni, in his state of the Nation
with research institutions, industry and address of 2018 asserted that the loan facilities will
farmers Strengthen competency-based benefit those participating in commercial agriculture.
training (CBET) in agriculture Private financial institutions like centenary Bank,
Equity bank, FINCA, Finance trust bank etc. provide
which provide finance across the value chain.
The government of Uganda should adhere to However, according to the Value for Money report by
the International Labour Organisation (ILO) the OAG, the scheme was not adequately marketed
promotion of cooperatives recommendation, the scheme leading to low absorption of funds
2002 (No. 193) that states that national poli- which ultimately hampering the ACF’s objective of
cies should “seek to improve national statistics supporting agricultural expansion and modernization.
on cooperatives with a view to the formulation
and implementation of development policies.”
August, 2O19 | 19
4.0 HEALTH CARE into those to do with; access, information, legis-

lative and policy environment and SRHR.
FOR ALL (i)ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.
Context.
The youth in 2016 made demands as regards
In pursuit of Uganda Vision 2040, the health increased availability, access to and uptake
sector aims at producing a healthy and produc- of quality and affordable health care
tive population that effectively contributes to services for young people. The Government
socio-economic growth. Despite the improve- of Uganda embarked on implementing the
ments in the health of Uganda’s population over Uganda Health System Strengthening Project;
the years, the country is still far from the goal of a government initiative set out to assist the
health for all18. One of the biggest drawbacks country achieve the Uganda National Minimum
has been the high fertility estimated at 5.6 per Health Care Package (UNMHCP). The focus was
one woman that the country has been experi- put on maternal health, new born care and family
encing which is also compounded by other poor planning. In addition to providing cost effective
health indicators such as maternal mortality ra- interventions identified to respond to the most
tio, and infant and child mortality rates. In ad- important causes of disease burden, the project
dition, under-nutrition among children below 5 is also intended to contribute to improving
years and women of reproductive age has re- human resources for health; physical health
mained high19. infrastructure; and management, leadership
and accountability for health service delivery.
Over the years, the health sector budget has Despite the progress under the project, success
been increasing over the years from UGX 1,190 has been marred by the failure to renovate all
billion to UGX 2,300 billion in 2018/19, as a per- intended hospitals, failure or government to
centage of the overall budget, the health sector provide counterpart funding, impairment of
allocation has never risen above the 15% re- funds from the exchange rate, delay to replace
quirement of the Abuja declaration. Health care
financing is also largely funded by individual There are great challenges when it comes
households (43%), donors at (34%) while the to accessing health care services. The Na-
government contributes 23%. The health sec- tional household survey of 2016/17 noted
tor is also marred by issues of human resource that a higher percentage of the population
crises, lack of equipment, poor working condi- (48%) visited private hospital/clinic when
tions, and lack of political will. Therefore, albeit ill than government health facilities (34%).
the fact that the quality of life has improved in In addition, 86 percent of the population
Uganda in the recent years post 1986, the is- accessed healthcare within a 5km radi-
sues that affect the health of the young people us. Health insurance coverage is still low
still abound. with only 5 percent of the population hav-
ing health insurance. Average household
The demands made in the NYM are categorized expenditure on healthcare in real terms
18 NDP II reduced from shs.27,600 in 2012/13 to
19 ibid shs.22,800 in 2016/17.
20 |August, 2O19
rejected equipment etc20. The challenges by the centage of the total health expenditures, has
project have an impact on the access to health been steadily growing in the past years to 41%
care. in Uganda, showing a huge burden of access
to quality health care on most of the youth and
their already poor and marginalized house-
This notwithstanding, deficits in the health care
holds. The high out-of pocket expenditure on
system included that affected access of several
health care negatively impacts on personal
persons included unavailability of medicines/
incomes and affects youth demand for, and ac-
supplies (23%), long waiting time (13%), long
cess to healthcare. This consequently increases
distance (12%), and limited range of services
impoverishments, especially of youth in the
(14%) and under staffing (10%) ranked
lower income quintiles.
highly among concerns of the communities in
public facilities. Whereas, in private facilities, it
Youth with disabilities face multidimensional
was found that services being expensive (39%)
exclusion (exclusion across more than one
ranked top followed by limited range of services
domain or dimension of disadvantage mainly
(23%) and long distance (9%)21.
on the basis of disability and poverty due to
To improve access to health care, National their youthfulness), resulting in severe negative
Youth Manifesto made a demand requiring consequences for quality of life, well-being
government to “expedite the passing of the and future life chances. These barriers exist
National Health Insurance Bill which will in access to social services (education, health,
provide universal and affordable health social protection, etc.), economic opportunities,
care for all”. Up to now, Uganda is the only as well as political participation22. Unfortunately,
country in East Africa that has not yet started the vast majority of HIV/AIDS and other sexual
the implementation of the National Health In- reproductive programs lack the training,
surance (NHIS). Countries like Tanzania, Kenya resources and the commitment necessary to
and Rwanda have already benefited from the accommodate the needs of PWDs. Due in part
introduction of the NHIS where they have to the widespread misconception that PWDs are
significantly reversed their maternal, newborn sexual, many are deprived of formal (at school)
and HIV/AIDS indices by covering the poor and informal (at home) education on sexual
and most vulnerable groups such as women reproductive health. This educational gap leaves
and youth living in rural and peri-urban setting PWDs in a vulnerable position, and can result
in their countries. The National Health Insur- in an inability to negotiate safer sex. Greater
ance Bill, has been on the proposed healthcare incidences of sexual violence and victimization
reform agenda for the last three years but has against PWDs also place them at higher
been approved by Cabinet but not yet tabled risk of HIV infection. The national disability-
before Parliament. inclusive planning guidelines for Uganda lay out
progressive potential interventions under the
The level of out of pocket expenditure, as per-

20 Report of the auditor general on financial statements of health sector cluster 6.
UHSSP IDA credit agreement NO.4742-UG
21 National household survey 2016/17 22 UN CPRD
August, 2O19 | 21
NYM Demand: Strengthen multi-sectoral part- Figure: Challenges facing young people in
nerships between the health sector and other accessing reproductive health services
like-minded sectors to ensure coordinated
access to health information and services for
youth.
The Ministry of Health in its MPS for FY

2018/2019 include strengthening inter-sec-
toral collaboration to address determinants for
health, e.g. safe water, education, and housing
among others. This will especially key in areas
of adolescent reproductive health rights and
education as well as fighting gender-based Source: Survey results 2019
violence and practices such as female genital
mutilation that have severe health indications (iii)Legislative and Policy
for young people affected. UGX 16.926 billion
Environment.
shillings was earmarked to increase collabora-
tion the East African Laboratory Network1. The NYM was clear on the need to have a
robust legislative and policy environment in
ii)INFORMATION. order to create a very healthy generation of
young people. The NYM demanded government
In the 2016/21 NYM, the government was to ‘Eliminate harmful traditional practices
tasked to undertake interventions that such as Female Genital Mutilation and child
“Provide accurate and comprehensive marriages’.
health information to the youth through
the most convenient, affordable, and Uganda boasts of a robust legal and policy
effective method; including support to framework against FGM and great strides
ensure language and formal education have been made on tackling Female Genital
levels are not barriers to access to Mutilation23. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and
information especially for young people Social Development is implementing the National
with disabilities”. Policy and Action Plan to eliminate Gender Based
Violence (GBV) and Female Genital Mutilation
The results from the survey revealed that (FGM). Efforts through raising awareness,
the biggest challenge that the youth face in enforcing the law as well as providing support
accessing sexual reproductive health services is to communities to abandon FGM has been done
social stigma on information about reproductive with support from UNFPA. The Ministry also has
health services (45.6%) and lack of information joint programs to end child marriages and FGM.
about the services was presented as another However, the budgetary allocation for the last
outstanding impediment (32.3%). These are three years has been a meagre UGX .5M and
illustrated in the figure below. 23 Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (2017)
16 Days of Activism Campaign Against Gender Based Violence. Avail-
able at http://www.faweuganda.org/index.php/cedaw-project/367-
16-days-of-activism-campaign-against-gender-based-violence.
22 |August, 2O19
UGX 155M respectively, per year. had increased to 25% in 2016 compared to
24% in 2011 and this costs Uganda about UGX
18 Trillion per year.27
The NYM also envisaged a need to ‘Eliminate

It is important to note that enforcement remains
laws and policies that contribute to gender-
a challenge because the practice continues
based violence and inhibit access to sexual
in very remote rural areas where support for
and reproductive health services (such as
the practice remains strong, and FGM has
the criminalization of HIV exposure and
increasingly been performed in secret.
transmission)’. The Constitution of Uganda
guarantees equality as well as protection of
More on having a robust legal and policy women and girls rights28. However, outside the
environment for positive health outcomes, protection guaranteed by the constitution and
the NYM demanded that “mechanisms to subsequent laws, violence in all its forms –
reduce teenage pregnancies” be instituted. psychological, physical and emotional continues
In Uganda, one in every three girls is married unabated. Several laws including the Anti
off before the age of 18 years whether through Phonography Act, the penal code enacted to
formal or informal unions24. More than a third protect women are the very ones used against
or 39 percent of women aged between 20 and women. New forms of violence have emerged
49 years give birth by age 18, and more than like ICT abated violence against women
half or 63% have had their first birth by age that is not provided for in the current legal
20. In 2017, 30.7 % of the girls were already framework. Laws on contentious issues like
pregnant. In rural areas, 24% give birth marital rape continue to face backlash because
earlier than girls from urban areas whose rate of perceptions wielded by highly patriarchal
is 21%. Teenage pregnancies are high in the societies in Uganda. The extent to which young
East Central, Eastern, and Karamoja regions girls and women are affected by many of the
with 30% compared to other regions, with the challenges faced by youth can be significantly
Southwest region having the lowest at 15% heightened by two factors a) gender biases and
and Central emerges with the second lowest at discrimination faced in educational, cultural
19%.25 and political contexts as well as in the labour
market, and (b) access to health services and
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social in the private sphere. Young women may face a
Development developed The National Strategy broader range of obstacles preventing them to
on Child Marriage (NSCM&TP) 2014/2015 actively engage in the public sphere.
– 2019/2020 provides a holistic and
comprehensive policy framework to end child MGLSD partners with other government agencies
marriage and other forms of violence against
girls including teenage pregnancy because of 27 The World Bank(2017). A Situation Analysis of Child Mar-
riages in Uganda
child marriage26. Rates of teenage pregnancy 28 The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995) protects
women and their rights under Article 33 and specifically prohibits
24 The World Bank(2017). A Situation Analysis of Child Mar- under 33(6) ‘Laws, cultures, customs or traditions which are against
riages in Uganda
the dignity, welfare or interest of women or which undermine their
25 UDHS 2017
26 Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development status . . .’ Further, Article 44 states that no person shall be subjected to
(2017). The National Strategy on Child Marriage. any form of ‘torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment’
August, 2O19 | 23
and CSOs to organize the 16 days of activism young people who are poverty stricken to access
against gender based violence annually. In health care and health services when they need.
addition to the interventions by the MGLSD,
the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association
In May 2018, the Ministry of Education and
(UWOPA) requested the government to set
Sports launched the National Sexuality
up specialized courts on gender based violence
Education Framework which is Uganda’s first
issues. The sexual offences bill, 2015 currently
ever guidelines on sexuality education which
in Parliament seeks to consolidate laws relating
seeks to create and
to sexual offences and combat sexual violence.
overarching national direction for response in

The Uganda Police Crime report of 2017 indicated
respect to sexuality education in the formal
that domestic violence was the second most
setting of educating young people in Uganda.
committed crime in 2017. 29 The 2016 Uganda
The Ministry of Health has been working a
Demographic Survey 2016 indicated that women
school health policy since 2015, and this policy
in Uganda are more than twice as likely to
is currently reported to be in advanced stages.
experience sexual violence as men. More than 1
The MGLSD initiated the drafting of guidelines for
in 5 women age 15-49 (22 percent) report that
Sexuality Education for out of School students in
they have experienced sexual violence at some
2016 while the Ministry of Education and Sports
point in time compared with fewer than 1 in 10
is responsible for developing the guidelines for
(8 percent) men.
those in school.
(iv) SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

It is important that these policies are
AND RIGHTS.
communicated to young people through
consumable material and through mediums
A debate on SRHR courts a lot of controversy easily available to them. Mass sensitization
in Uganda. There has been long standing through old (radio, TV and newspapers) can
contention and controversy surrounding the be complemented using new media like social
teaching of sexuality education for adolescents media to reach even the most vulnerable youth.
in schools. .
More on access to SRHR, the NYM demanded that

Only 5% of the health facilities in Uganda 5% of the annual Ministry of Health budget
provide30 youth-friendly health services. Other be allocated as a stand-alone allocation
issues related to access to health for young for the establishment and sustenance of
include inadequate funding for youth-friendly youth corners in all public health facilities
health services; low perception of risky sexual at all levels. UGX 911.426 billion, 2.3 trillion
behavior, abuse of alcohol, and drugs. The and 2.8trillion was allocated to the sector for
absence of a National Health Insurance Scheme, FY 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20. However,
law or policy further impedes the ability of the there is no realignment for the establishment
and sustenance of youth corners in all public
29 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2017
30 Rutgers Uganda https://www.rutgers.international/sites/ health facilities at all levels.
rutgersorg/files/PDF/Advocacy_Uganda_0.pdf
24 |August, 2O19
Given that youth are more susceptible to drug and substance abuse, the 2016-2021 NYM demanded
for efforts that “Support youth involvement in efforts to prevent drug and substance
abuse”. According to the World Health Organization report on Drug and Substance Abuse,
alcohol is the most abused substance followed by sedatives, cannabis, inhalants Opiates, synthetic
narcotic analgesics and hallucinogens. Uganda’s average total per capita consumption of pure
alcohol per year is about 9.8 litres. This is over and above the global and African region averages
of 6.4 and 6 litres of pure alcohol each year respectively for individuals aged 15 years and older31
Legislative response to drug and substance abuse.
Parliament enacted laws like Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances Act 2016, and the To-
bacco Control Act, but enforcement is lacking, robust enforcement of these laws is necessary.
In addition there is a need to introduce a national alcohol policy to regulate manufacture, avail-
ability, advertising, distribution and marketing of alcohol in Uganda and put restrictions on the
number of alcohol selling outlets per area and selling of sachet alcohol2.
At a local level, some local governments have enacted ordinances to protect citizens against the
devastating effects of reckless and excessive alcohol consumption. Gulu, for instance, passed the
alcohol ordinance which it stipulates that those seeking to sell alcoholic drinks in the district must
ensure that their places are located more than half a kilometer from education institutions. The
others are all packaging must be in breakable bottles as opposed to polythene sachets, restricts
the smallest quantity to 250 milliliters and establishes a district licensing committee to review
licenses of operators amongst others
The demands of the youth in the NYM are

grouped into participation, youth leadership and
5.0 mentorship and representation for purposes of

this study;
YOUTH PARTICIPATION
IN DECISION MAKING. (i)Youth participation.
Effective youth participation is about creating
“Young people must think about whether opportunities for the youth to be actively
involved in designing, shaping, and influencing
they are representatives of the youth to policy development and implementation
the State or the representatives of the processes. Hence the NYM demanded of
the government to “ensure that youth
State to the youth” ESHBAN KWESIGA. actively and meaningfully participate in
the development, implementation and
31 WHO, 2016 monitoring of government policies and
August, 2O19 | 25
programs”. Government of Uganda, on its part, has put in place legal and institutional frameworks
to ensure participation and involvement of the youth in decision making and national development.
LEGISLATION REMEDY PROVIDED

1995 Constitution Provides for representation of the youth in the national
parliament
NYC ACT CAP 319 Established the Youth Council structures from village
to national level to provide channels through which
youth engage in development process
1997 Local Government Act Provides for representation of the youth in all Local
Government Council structures.
Equally, Civil Society Organizations and other in decision making. The youth have been kept
non-state actors provide alternative spaces at the fringes of the decision making and have
for youth participation. However, like many not enjoyed full participation in their own gov-
beneficiaries of affirmative action in Uganda’s ernance, except by serving as a puddle from
political system, youth’s meaningful participation which those who have benefited from political
is questionable. benefaction find their conduit to sustain their
political dominance.32
On a positive note, there have been recent The NYM also wanted to ‘Change the mandate
developments in the public policy arena, that is of National Youth Council to place it at the
shaping and cementing the role of young people center of addressing issues of youth. Female
in influencing development outcomes. Currently, youth should be empowered to take on
Parliament is considering three critical bills, the leadership as District Youth Chairpersons’.
Externalization of Labor Bill 2018, the Graduate Sec. 2 of the 1993 National Youth Council Act
Service Scheme Bill 2018, and the Anti-Slavery (NYCA) as amended in 2010, prescribes the
Bill 2018. These bills have been sponsored and objectives of the NYC, but does not clearly
supported by the Uganda Parliamentary Forum show the various roles and responsibilities and
on Youth Affairs. The significance of these mandate of the NYC; or if shown, there has not
processes points to the shift in the realization been efforts to popularize these roles through
and recognition of the role of young people in empowering these structures. Sec. 11 of the
public policy and contributing to decision making NYCA provides for about funding of the youth
processes. councils, however funding for the council leaves
a lot to be desired. Given the broad mandate of
However, structural hindrances like the increase
the youth councils, inadequate funding hinders
in candidate nomination fees, monetization
the effective execution of the council’s mandate.
of elections, political patronage and pervasive
Mwesigye G (2019). Young Citizen’s Participation in Leadership Today: Where is the Youth Power.
32
corruption continue to hinder youth participation
http://parliamentwatch.ug/young-citizens-participation-in-leadership-today-where-is-the-youth-power/#.XUgii_IzbIV
26 |August, 2O19
In our survey, 60.1% of the respondents to reinforce the roles of other youth led
acknowledged having knowledge about the organizations through the provision of strategic
national youth council, but 77.9% had no direction.
confidence in their councilors addressing
their issues.To increase youth participation
Hence, the NYM highlighted the need to
in decision making, the NYM demanded the
‘Reinvigorate the existing student’s
recruitment of ‘Youth Engagement Officers
movement (UNSA) to enable the students
in Ministries, Departments and Agencies’.
community meaningfully participate in
Youth participation should be in terms of youth-
and influence decision making processes.
led development, which always acknowledges
Strengthen the governance systems of
the importance of local contexts and cultural
UNSA to ensure that it acts as a training
values and practices. This was to be realized
ground for leaders’. Synergies therefore
through the establishment of youth desks
should be created with the various existing bodies
in MDAs. However, there is no evidence on
in order to promote unified youth movement.
the progress of this indicator. Positive strides
Some of these bodies duplicate each other’s
have been made in KCCA which has enrolled
work and stand to gain from working together.
youth community officers33. The affairs of the
youth are mainly looked at by the Community
Development Officers and the Probation Social Lower the age to contest for LCV seats and
Workers. harmonize with the age for contesting for
other political positions like MP.
(ii)Representation.
Parliament of Uganda passed the Constitutional
Amendment Act 2017 in a bid to open political
There was a demand for government to
spaces for the young and old people alike to
‘Establish a Multi-Sectoral Working Group
participate in politics. In the same spirit, the
on youth development to represent youth
Local Government Act must be amended to
in the various government decision making
allow youth below 35 years of age to contest for
platforms and act as a link between
the post of LC V chairperson.
youth and government bodies’. It should
be appreciated that youth are represented on
various sector working groups in the country,
(iii)Youth Leadership and Mentor-
however, this demand pertains to an organized
ship.
youth led consultative process. The national
youth council should be empowered beyond a
The framers of Vision 2040, Uganda’s develop-
political body to undertake this role. Capacities
ment blueprint, acknowledge ideological dis-
on qualified human resources , research,
orientation as one of the bottlenecks impeding
funding, etc. should be enhanced to promote
the nation’s transformation in the socio-eco-
more meaningful participation of the councils.
nomic and political context. It is argued and
rightly so that countries which have attained
UNSA plays a vital role in the socio-political upper middle income status have had clear and
landscape in Uganda. It has the potential well defined national ideologies with the young
33 Reagan Wamajji (2017). First State of the Youth Report.
August, 2O19 | 27
population being the root and stem of such national ideologies.
Principle to guide a Youth Leadership and Mentorship Program.

Should build on what is working - avoid creating Be politically smart, locally-led: Invest in
parallel or new structures that are unlikely to be ongoing political economy analysis and in
sustained and focus on issues and reforms that understanding institutions, rules of the game,
have real traction. power dynamics, incentives and norms - not
just on organizations. This lens will be crit-
ical to achieving sustainable, locally-owned
results.
Aim at building networks and coalitions that Be creative about how to foster and empower
go beyond the ‘usual suspects’, and that bring emerging youth leaders – especially females
together diverse partners around issues and and other marginalized youth groups.
reforms that have strong locally-driven support.
Leverage and collaborate with other government Build in adaptability. Seize on unexpected
and donor programs wherever possible. windows of opportunity and critical junctures
and be prepared to change quickly if needed.
Innovate and test viable pathways and incen- Recognize the heterogeneity of the youth
tives for change. Build in rapid cycles of strate- like intra youth differences based on disabil-
gy testing and feedback loops to evaluate and ity, gender and social background. All such
adapt approaches and tactics to changes in the differences should be factored in for all-inclu-
context. sive mentorship
Theoretical Framework on how to increase youth participation and representation in

decision making spaces.
If the government, youth councils, civil society networks;

1. Strengthen their technical, institutional and organisational capacities to sustainably engage
youth in the development processes,
2. Work collaboratively to promote continuous civic engagement that reaches out to the youth
both in and out of school,
3. Promote transparent and accountable leadership informed by principles of social justice,
equity and gender sensitivity, and
4. Build broad-based consensus around issues concerned with participation of the young
people;
28 |August, 2O19
Then youth and women civic actors will have greater bargaining power to effectively engage
the powers that be towards policy prioritization of their issues of concern as well as adoption of
an incremental approach to policy and legislative actions that will ensure the development blue
prints like the Vision 2040 not only speaks into the aspirations of the children but also address-
es , works for them and the young generation is mentored to take up the leadership mantle
with true values reflecting the social fabric and clout of the Ugandan spirit.
6.0 progress over the years. The shortcomings of

Universal Primary Education notwithstanding,
Education Opportunities. the policy has promoted equitable access to

primary education. The same can be said for
Situational Analysis. universal secondary education. Gender parity
in education at primary secondary and tertiary
level has also improved over the years, reveal
Situation. that the gender parity index was less than one
-17M children unaccounted for during the 11 for both primary and secondary education (0.99
years (1997-2008) of UPE as per UBOS re- and 0.95 respectively) in 2016/1734.
ports.
-9M children enrolled in primary school. The 2016/17 National household survey noted
that the literacy rate for persons aged 10 years
-660,000 children of school going age chil- and above is estimated at 74%, however, it
dren estimated to be out of school. was higher for males than females. Overall, 5
-200,000 Number of new classrooms needed percent of the school-going-age (6-24 years)
to achieve a ratio of 40:1 pupil classroom ra- had never attended school while in Karamoja
tio. about half had never attended school. The
Gross Enrolment ratio was estimated as 117%
-150,000 Number of primary school class- and was highest in Teso (139%), Bukedi
rooms. (133%) and West Nile (131%) sub-regions.
-63,000 primary school classroom deficit. About access to education facilities, 77% of the
persons attending day primary school travelled
less than 3 kilometers to school. It is however
The Education and Sports sector is responsible not enough that Ugandan children have enrolled
for the delivery of equitable, relevant and in school. The persistence and performance of
quality education, training and sports services school going children associated with education
for all. The priorities include pursuing the quality indicators like student- teacher ratio,
quality and relevance of education at all levels student book ratio and student classroom ratio
and improving effectiveness and efficiency in must be enhanced.
the delivery of education services. Uganda’s
education sector has experienced tremendous
34 Uganda National household survey 2016/17
August, 2O19 | 29
It is estimated that the population of secondary female population. However, only fewer than
school age persons will increase from 5.8 200,000 personnel have been produced, with
to 16.2 million in Uganda.35 The demands two years to the end of the strategic plan. The
made in the 2016/2021 NYM are grouped into enrolment rates for remain low due negative
Skills Enhancement, Regulatory Framework, attitude towards BTVET.
Curriculum Review, Infrastructure and Special
Needs Responsive Education.
ii)Regulatory Environment.
i) Skills based Education.

There is an acknowledgement of the critical
role that the private sector can play in the
The argument that Uganda’s problem is not
education services in terms of increasing both
the lack of technocrats. It is lack of enough
the quality and quantity aspects in the sector.
and skilled technicians to build and repair the
The government policy direction following the
nation has been a ferocious one. Hence the NYM
adoption of the World Bank initiated structural
demanded that government “enhance free skills
adjustment Programs and liberalization of the
training opportunities through UPPET and BTVET
economy points to the strong role of the private
which provide an opportunity for creating new
actors I the education sector. Realizing this
vocational centres and utilizing the available
critical role and influence, the 2016/2021 NYM
community polytechnics.”
advocated that government pursues policies
that ‘Incentivize private sector investments
The Government is implementing the 10-year in education in hard to reach areas’.
BTVET Strategic Plan 2012, “Skilling Uganda
Programme” under the theme ‘unlocking our
During the 25th Annual education sector review
productivity potential’. The Programme forms an
at the office of the Prime Minister Conference
integral part of the Education Policy Framework
hall in Kampala, the stakeholders in education
and is designed to address the major challenges
called for increased private sector involvement
of the BTVET sub-sector regarding relevance,
in the development and financing of Uganda’s
quality, access, equity, management and
education if efficiency is to be realized.36
financial sustainability.
According to project plans and the education NYM Demand: Create and
sector Ministerial policy statements over the implement clear policies to regulate
years, including FY 2018/19 it is evident that the the operations of schools both in
projects under BTVET are concentrating much the private and public sector.
on construction and procurement of machinery
with a limited focus on enrolment which has
consistently been reported to be low. The 10-
year skilling Uganda strategic plan (2011-2020),
the Government planned to raise the number
of graduates to 450,000 annually, with 50%
35 UK AID, AFIDEP & EARF (2018). EAC Regional Youth De- 36 https://www.softpower.ug/sector-review-stakehold-
mographics Analysis. ers-call-for-private-investment-in-education/
30 |August, 2O19
In Uganda, about 25% of the Primary school government is endeavoring to catch up with
pupils attend private primary schools, this expansion. Some of the private schools still
compared to 11% in Kenya and 2% in charge exorbitant fees above the capacity of
Tanzania.3 The country entirely relies on non- average Ugandans to afford.
state provisions for pre-primary education
and over 50% of secondary school going iii) Education Infrastructure.
students attend private schools. Supervision
of private schools is warranted due to the
Improve the learning environment at all
proliferation. Several do not meet the
levels of education e.g. build classrooms,
minimum standards, over 1,308 were found
provide laboratory equipment among
wanting by the directorate of education
others. Ensure appropriate adaptations are
standards. The government must extend
made to meet the needs of students with
the enforcement the Standard of Operating
special needs.
Procedure for private schools in Uganda to
public schools as many are in the same or
even worse situations than many private Provide free daily school meals for all
schools. primary school children.
The Ministry of Finance, Planning and

Government has supported the private sector Economic Development emphaised that that
especially at tertiary level for instance in 2017/18, the proposals on school feeding have serious
the Ministry conducted support supervision budget implications which Government cannot
to 5 private Universities receiving government accommodate within the constrained budget.
funding. The Ministry disbursed funds to 5 The Ministry of Finance advised that feeding of
private Universities (Ndejje, Mountains of the school learners should remain a responsibility of
Moon, Bishop Stuart and Kumi universities) to parents as stipulated in the Education Act 2008.
support infrastructure expansion, and supported
100 students at the University of Kisubi.37 This
indicates the government’s efforts to incentivize Establish a secondary school in each
the private sector investments in education, sub county to cater for those completing
however, there is still a gap for supporting the primary education and lower secondary.
needs of the schools in the hard to reach areas
due to the financial constraints. The major challenge to the Education sector is
budgetary constraints and as a result, for the
The rapid privatization in the education government to be able to construct at least
sector which has not been matched with a 20 Secondary Schools in the over 20 Sub-
more appropriate regulatory, supervision and Counties without tham, a total of Ushs 9.48bn
monitoring framework since the Ministry has is required.38 In the Sub-Counties where there
insufficient funding. The private sector has are no secondary schools, the students walk
grown much faster than anticipated, driven long distances to find schools every day which
by market forces, and it is only now that is a hindrance to their performance. There is an
37 Ministerial Policy statements for the Ministry of Educa- 38 Education Sector Budget framework paper FY 2018/19-FY
tion and Sports for FY 2018/19 2022/23
August, 2O19 | 31
urgent need to fill this gap so as to meet the v) Curriculum Review.

above mentioned needs.
Uganda’s education system as previously

iv)Special Needs Responsive Education. noted has remained very obscelete and can
no longer effectively churn out graduates that
can compete both at the local and international
The NYM is clear on the need to have an
labour market. As part of curriculum review,
education system that is responsive to special
the NYM underscored the need to Design and
needs. It mandates the government to
establish school vacation programs to
establish six regional centers of excellence
enhance vocational and practical skills,
in special needs education to address the
inculcate an enterprising mindset and build
issues of capacity in infrastructure, access,
citizenship. The Ministry of Education trained
knowledge and skills. In the FY 2017/18, the
178 Item writers on new curriculum at Fisheries
Ministry of Education provided subvention grants
Training Institute in the FY 2017/18. Directorate
for Special Needs Education (SNE) learners in
Institute of Training (DIT) developed 147 theory
100 schools and completed 7 classrooms and a
and 133 practical assessment instruments for
4 unit instructors’ house.
Level I, II and III in 29 occupations; 197 theory
and 133 practical assessment instruments for
Under the Special Needs Education Programme Modular in 35 occupations.
FY2018/19, the Education Ministry reported
carrying out needs assessment in 20 schools;
In our survey, the majority of the respondents
constructed Motor vehicle and carpentry
who were the youth with University qualifications
workshop at Mbale SSFD; constructed 3
(75.5%) and Tertiary qualifications (10.3%)
classroom blocks for Home Economics, Art and
indicated that the education they had received
Design at Mbale SSFD; constructed a teachers
had not prepared them for the available jobs.
house & five stance VIP latrine with shower and
As indicated in the figure below, 52.3% which
urinal,
is more than a half indicated that they do not
think that the education they have acquired has
and procured Equipment for Home economics prepared them for the available jobs.
classes, 120 teachers were trained in functional
assessment for learners with special needs;
conducted Sign Language training for 65 teachers
in Wakiso & Mbale schools for the deaf; procured
and distributed 28 Perkins Braille Machine &
braille papers to 18 schools (St. Hellens, Arua
Dem, Pajobi, Angal Girls, Owiny, Masindi Centre
for the handicapped, Lima, Kateera Biikira, Moyo
Girls, Nyarilo, Ishekye, Kisoro Dem, Kiwolero
Army, Ediofe, St. Bernadettea Primary Schools,
Bushenyi Centre for disabled, Saad Memorial
S.S and St.Peters Katukuru S.S.
32 |August, 2O19
If schools and the education system;

1. Adjust their teaching methods and make the education system speak into the realities
around which children are taught,
2. The education system is made more interactional and freedom intense with children being
able to interrogate and question what they are taught,
3. Lessons on patriotism and national values are inculcated into the education system and
curriculum, and
4. Schools undertake to train and mentor children to assume roles as economic, social and
political leaders;
Then schools will be turned into places or incubation centres that churn out national leaders,
technocrats and social influencers. A national value system will have been created and the
values and principles of Uganda as a country will be nurtured hence a generation of Vision
Bearers to lead an upper middle-income Uganda.
Figure: Do you think the education you have

received so far has prepared you for the avail-
7.0
able jobs?
SPORTS AND CREATIVE
ARTS
7.1 SPORTS
Physical Education and Sports (PES), if well
harnessed can serve as an effective vehicle for
socio- economy transformation of a nation. PES
improves academic excellence, provides leisure
recreation and entertainment, improves health
Source: Survey 2019 and physical fitness and reduces the health
expenditure burden on curative measures and
improves individual and national productivity.
The NYM therefore called for a review of the
PES is not yet fully exploited, yet it provides
curriculum from being theory based to become
employment opportunities as well as breaking
more practical and solution oriented.
the barriers of social status, sex, religion and
race.
August, 2O19 | 33
While government documents like the Education projects were initiated prior the Federation
and Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2017/18- of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports
2019/2020 emphasize the importance of the Association (FEASSSA) games. More systematic
sports subsector, it is evident that the sports interventions that are linked to overall strategic
sub-sector has not received the requisite goals should be imitated. Several district stadia
attention from policy makers. For instance, like in (Jinja, Mbarara, Kabale, Gulu, Masaka,
the report of the committee of education and Mbale continue to be dilapidated.
sports of Parliament of Uganda for FY 2017/18
does not provide an accurate analysis of the
Corruption has also marred the development
sports subsector. Save for the mention of plans
of the sports sector in Uganda. The much
to provide equipment to schools, promote
anticipated construction of the Akii-Bua Olympic
international sports and construct John Aki Bua
Stadium in Lira which was a pledge by President
stadium, policy and budgetary direction on the
Yoweri Museveni in 2016 in memory of Uganda’s
sports subsector is missing.
first Olympic gold medalist, John Akii-Bua
continues to spur controversy on the usage of
The sports subsector continues to be the Ugx.665 million disbursed.
underfunded, in the financial year 2016/17,
allocations to the education and sports sector
was as follows: Primary education was allocated Review the structure of major sports in
50.17%, followed by Tertiary at 19.61%, consultation with key stakeholders to
Secondary at 15.20%, BTVET at 10.55% develop a comprehensive plan of action to
and others at 4.47% (Physical Education and revitalize the sector
Sports, Special Needs Education, Guidance
and Counselling and Policy, Planning and The Physical Activity and Sports (PAS) Bill to
address emerging sports regulatory concerns
Support Services)39. As indicated, such miniscule and gaps in implementation, governance as well
budgets only serve the goals and objectives of as technical and operational issues has been
the sector to a certain extent. The review also in cabinet since 2013. Reluctance on the part
noted non -adherence to the teaching of of government through the lack of political will
Physical Education on the formal time table, goes to show that the sector is not a priority
few physical education teachers who at the time
of the release of the review stood at only and
Provide tax incentives to the private sector
insufficient sports facilities.
to encourage investment in sports.
Ad hoc government interventions like the

The URA tax incentive guide for investors in
rehabilitation of PECE stadium in Gulu district
Uganda only provide an exemption for one rally
and the construction of a swimming pool in
car and spare parts in the sports category. This
St. Joseph Layibi are indicative of government’s
excludes a variety of sports activities
failure to promote sports in Uganda. These
39 Education and Sports Sector Annual
Support the expeditious passing of the
performance review 2017
34 |August, 2O19
Lotteries and Gaming Bill to provide for

the re-allocation of revenues realized from
8.0
lotteries to sports activities.
CREATIVE ARTS
This demand has not been realized. The dimensions of art are vast and yet the
general of perception of Art in Uganda is limited
From the survey, the majority of the youth to antiquities, music, dance, drama and fine
indicated that there are no government pro- art. Even while art has evolved over the years
grams available to tap young people into vari- to include new forms, Uganda has not adapted
ous sports and disciplines. This is illustrated in to these new forms. Government interventions
the figure below where 64.6% said NO when have also been limited to the general forms of
they were asked if they were aware of any art. Except for Jamafest, which happens in East
government programs supporting the youths in Africa on a rotational basis, national art festivals
sports and arts. that celebrate Uganda’s rich art are private
initiatives.
Figure 6: Are there any government programs
supporting the youth talent in sports and arts?
The findings further revealed that government

comes in it support a few successful athletes
and others sports personalities but does little
prop them up in their development.
August, 2O19 | 35
“Creative arts are an essential investment for The appreciation of art by policy makers has
peace and stability, and are a prerequisite for not taken root in Uganda, consequently no clear
the success of human development. A more plans for its promotion are in place.
visible and effective inclusion of creative arts
in development programs at local, national Provide incentives to the entertainment,
and international levels is critical for sustain- arts, and creative industries to fully
able development. Creative arts is a powerful develop the sector to enable it to compete
global economic engine generating jobs and effectively on the world stage.
income with a value of US$1.3 trillion in 2005.
Cultural industries account for more than 7%
One of the greatest contributions that art can
of global GDP. (2009 UWR). Cultural heritage
make to society is to become a tool for critical
not only generates income, but also builds so-
thinking and social interaction41. Professor
cial cohesion, mobilizing communities around
Kyeyune George an art professor at the
its care and management. Arts can also be
Margaret Trowell School of fine Art asserts that
a brilliant outlet for young people by giving
is a universal language, accessible to both the
them skills for the future, a chance to express
literate and the illiterate. Art has been used by
their thoughts and feelings, and an opportu-
communities to address or corresponds to the
nity to find something they excel at. Arts and
challenges and needs of that society.
culture are intimately related, as arts contrib-
ute to and are part of national and individual Government should endeavor to promote art
identity. Not only does arts education shape instead of stifling it. Unfortunate incidents
children’s behaviour and vision of life, it also against art and artists can be seen through the
provides a means of responding to the identity onslaught on Hon Kyagulanyi aka Bobi wine’s
crisis and social breakdown”. music through both legal and means has a
negative impact on the industry. In addition,
there was an attempt to cancel the nyege nyege
(2016-2021 National Youth Manifesto) music festival in September 2018, one of Africa’s
biggest music festival based on unconfirmed
“the NRM will support the construction and rumors.
redevelopment of entertainment infrastructure
such as the National Theatre, the National
Strengthen the copyright regime to
Museum and regional museums and cultural/
enhance protection for creative works
entertainment centers”.
Not much has changed from the FY2016/17 and

Art has been useful in the development of Uganda
2017/18 where MGLSD lists Strengthening the
over the years – art played a significant role in
enforcement of the Copyright Law and work
post- colonial Africa through artistic impressions
with artistes to fight piracy, which is a big threat
of the experiences. Art is important because it
to the industry as a key sector out puts, there is
for celebrates nationalism and identity, art pays
not corresponding funding for the activity.
tribute to sacrifice. Sometimes art is used for
revelation and advocacy or protest.40 in Promoting Democratic Principles and Social Justice. Public Policy
Institute, Kampala
40 Kyeyune G., (2018). The Role of Art and Popular Culture 41 ibid
36 |August, 2O19
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARIZED.

Domain Description of indicators and Policy Landscape
impacts
Health care Trends in infant mortality by sex, fertility, Policies and programs that address youth/
and adolescent fertility; Life expectancy, adolescent sexual and reproductive health needs
dependency ratio. including access to contraception.
Health of youth (HIV/AIDS, abortion Policies and programs that tackle inequalities,
related illnesses, suicides, substance youth poverty,
abuse, and non-communicable diseases).
Out of pocket expenditure

Education Trends in secondary and tertiary education Policies and programs to increase access to high
opportunities by sex, transferrable skills. quality secondary and tertiary education.
Prevalence of ICT and mobile phone use Policies and programs to expand transferrable and
among youth. ICT skills.
Ability of the graduates to compete

favourably in the labour market
Employment Youth employment and underemployment Policies and programs that focus on job creation,
underemployment, female participation in the
growth of informal sector,
labour force.
entrepreneurship
Policies and programs that ensure a smooth
access to credit/financial inclusion
transition from school to the labour market
Ease and cost of doing business

Lending facilities that ensure and improve access
to affordable long-term credit for Ugandan youth
owned enterprises.
Youth in agriculture Youth involvement along the entire Funding agricultural Research and Development
agricultural value chain (R&D) as the engine that drives agricultural
productivity.
Numbers of youth involved in large scale
commercial agricultural production Programs and policies that engage youth along the
entire agricultural value chain
August, 2O19 | 37
Sports and Creative Policies and programs to tap into the youth
Arts demographics for a robust, lively and economically
productive creative arts and sports industry.
Policies and programs to harness the talents of the

youth
Laws and legislations to protect creatives and art

for both profit, technology transfer and for the
coming generations.
Youth participation in Inclusivity and exclusivity of young people Tackle institutionalized exclusion of the young
decision making. in governance. people most especially the females from the
governance and decision making spaces.
Number of young people in policy and
decision making spaces. Review legislation most especially the National
Youth Act and
REFERENCES
MAAIF (2016), Ministerial Policy Statement 2016/17, 2017/18
MoES (2017). Education and Sports Sector Annual performance review 2017
MoES (2016). Ministerial Policy Statement 2016/17, 2017/18
MoFPED (2016). National Budget Framework Paper 2016/17
MoGLSD (2016). Ministerial Policy Statement FY 2016/17, 2017/18
National Planning Authority (2015). National Development Plan FY 2013/2016-2019/2020
Report of the education committee on the MPS and Budget estimates for the FY 2017/18
Report of the Committee on GLSD on the MPS and Budget estimates for the FY 2017/18
The National Youth Manifesto 2016-2021
The Technical National Youth Manifesto 2016-2021
38 |August, 2O19
August, 2O19 | 39
40 |August, 2O19

State of The Youth Report

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Assessing Government THE STATE OF THE

Investment in Young People YOUTH REPORT

1.2.2 CONTENT SCOPE. 8

2.0 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 9

2.1 STATE OF THE YOUTH POPULATION DYNAMICS IN EAST AFRICA. 9

3.0 STATE OF THE YOUTH IN UGANDA. 11

3.1 JOBS! JOBS! JOBS 11

3.2 YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE 17

4.0 HEALTH CARE FOR ALL 20

5.0 YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING. 25

6.0 EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES. 29

7.0 CREATIVE ARTS 33

8.0 POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARIZED. 35

EAC East African Community

MDA Ministries, Departments Agencies

MOEMD Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development

MOES Ministry of Education and Sports

MPS Ministerial Policy Statement

MOGLSD Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

MPS Ministerial Policy Statement

NRM National Resistance Movement

NYM National Youth Manifesto

SMES Small and Medium Enterprises

TNYM Technical National Youth Manifesto

UPFYA Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs

YLP Youth Livelihood Programme

1.2 METHODOLOGY c) Key Informant Interviews

Key informants were interviewed to buttress the

2.0 Research has indicated that all the countries

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS African countries, will experience a significant

The increasing youth population will also put

Source: Authors’ calculations based on DFID,

5 World Economic Forum, African Development Bank, World

among others), the GDP per capita will increase

The biggest challenge young people face in

Source: Survey results 2019

The results from our survey indicated that the

There are sex differences in employment

In addition to these initiatives, unemployed graduates

Enhance the capacity of implementing agencies such

Empower disadvantaged groups of society like rural

7 Uganda Household Survey, 2017

In February 2017 Parliament granted Hon.

In order to facilitate a proper school to work

respectively, after the end of each calendar year.

14 Prosper Mubangizi (2019). The Externalization of Labour

the 6 million households engaged in subsistence

In our survey, 61.9% of participants revealed that

involved agriculture as indicated in the figure

Bank of Uganda in partnership with Commercial

4.0 HEALTH CARE into those to do with; access, information, legis-

FOR ALL (i)ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

The level of out of pocket expenditure, as per-

The Ministry of Health in its MPS for FY

The NYM also envisaged a need to ‘Eliminate

overarching national direction for response in

(iv) SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

More on access to SRHR, the NYM demanded that

Legislative response to drug and substance abuse.

The demands of the youth in the NYM are

5.0 mentorship and representation for purposes of

LEGISLATION REMEDY PROVIDED

population being the root and stem of such national ideologies.