By Emmah Bwayo
KAMPALA
European Union Youth Sounding Board, Uganda Chapter has been at the European Union Residence in Kampala. The launch took place on 30th August 2023.
During his welcoming remarks, H.E Jan Sadek , the Ambassador of European Union to Uganda, introduced the Youth Sounding Board as a board of 20 young people representing different thematic areas on issues affecting the youth in Uganda like governance, climate change and environment, gender, human rights, trade, skilling and jobs, education, and heath.
Ambassador Jan Sadek noted that the youth leaders bring a diversified expertise & engagement covering the key issues. He urged the youth to engage actively with the EU to incorporate the youth perspective in the European Union engagements.
Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development, says youths play a pivotal role to driving change and development through sharing their views and challenges.
Mateke who was the guest of honor explains that it is important that each member of the Youth Sounding Board is being identified with a particular thematic element adding that they have high expectations from them.
Odoi Bernard Mutuusa, the Youth MP Eastern region, congratulated the selected members of the board and urged them to adopt the trickle-down principle to ensure that the youth in their respective areas of origin benefit from their engagements with the European Union.
Bwayo Emma, one of the Board members reveals that their work will purely be advisory to the EU, monitoring programs and projects implemented by the EU and also advocating for inclusiveness of young people in the decision making processes.
Bwayo who is the also the Namisindwa District Male Youth Councillor was elected as the Secretary General of the EU Sounding Board.
EU Youth sounding board Uganda joins other African countries with sounding boards like Nigeria, Ethiopia, among others.
