President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has once again urged the youth to combat corruption by using appropriate channels. Speaking during the International Youth Day celebrations held at Soroti Core Primary Teachers’ College in Soroti District, he emphasized the importance of addressing corruption systematically rather than through protests or riots. “Avoid and fight corruption. You don’t have to take to the streets. Fight corruption by tracking government funds and understanding how they are spent. If you notice any misappropriation, report it to the RDC. If the RDC fails to act, there are other channels you can pursue,” Museveni advised.
The theme of the celebrations, “Skills Development for Enhancement of Youth Opportunities,” highlighted the critical need for equipping the youth with the necessary skills to thrive in the current job market. The Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, remarked that the theme underscores the importance of skills in realizing youth potential and addressing the high numbers of unemployed youth who are not in school or formal employment.
President Museveni also reassured Ugandans that corruption can be effectively tackled if everyone works together. “We can eliminate these corrupt individuals; they are not an insurmountable problem. All we need are the facts,” he said. He further urged the youth and activists to advocate for free education in government schools, noting that the refusal to implement this program hinders national progress. He pointed out that free education was introduced to address the low levels of school attendance and retention, particularly in rural areas, and emphasized the need to fully implement it in government primary and secondary schools.
In his speech, Museveni also advised school-going children to use their holiday time productively by assisting their parents to stabilize household income. He reflected on his own upbringing, where he engaged in wealth creation activities from a young age. “By the age of four, I was already a wealth creator, looking after young cows. By eight, I was responsible for the big cows. Children should participate in wealth creation during holidays,” he said, cautioning parents not to overburden their children as he once was.
Additionally, the President encouraged the youth to stay physically active, participate in sports, and engage in spiritual development through religious programs to build discipline and a fear of God. He stressed the importance of auditing cultural practices, particularly those that mistreat women, and urged the youth to embrace the four principles of the National Resistance Movement (NRM)—Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic Transformation, and Democracy—for their prosperity.
Museveni also warned against environmental degradation, particularly the misuse of swamps, which he said must stop to protect water resources. He commended the people of Teso for their efforts in fighting poverty through commercial agriculture and noted that many have moved out of grass-thatched houses and are now growing citrus fruits. He assured the community that the government would stabilize the market by appointing new personnel to oversee the local factory.
The Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, assured the youth that the government is working diligently to address the challenge of unemployment. He highlighted the importance of investing in youth skills development to support national peace, stability, and social transformation. The Chairperson of the National Youth Council-Uganda, Jacob Eyeru, thanked President Museveni for his guidance in education and job creation, and for establishing skilling hubs across the country to combat youth unemployment.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Vice President Jessica Alupo, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, and other officials. The UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo, called for renewed efforts to ensure that Uganda’s youthful population, particularly the 73 percent under the age of 30, is engaged in productive adulthood. Meanwhile, the Danish Ambassador to Uganda, Signe Winding Albjerg, emphasized the significance of Youth Day in celebrating the contributions of young people to global development, particularly in digital adoption and innovation. She urged everyone to challenge themselves to do more for the youth to help them realize their potential.