By Abubakar Bin Siraji
MBALE CITY
As President Yoweri Museveni prepares for his visit to Bugisu on Tuesday, 17th December, 2024 to evaluate the effectiveness of the Parish Development Model initiatives at Mbale secondary senior school grounds, youth leaders from the Bugisu region are gearing up to present a list of urgent demands.
These demands address pressing issues impacting their communities and future prospects.
The youth, hailing from various districts across the Bugisu sub region, have pinpointed several key areas of concern.
Among these is the rampant unemployment, limited access to education and skills training, and a dire state of infrastructure, including roads and healthcare facilities.
Additionally, they are advocating for better support for agriculture and entrepreneurship, and seeking solutions for environmental degradation and corruption.
Wilson Lukaya, the youth councilor representing the Industrial Division in Mbale city, made a public statement at the Mbale City Council Hall, emphasizing the need for a meeting with President Museveni.
He highlighted the multifaceted challenges faced by the youth, noting the inadequate support for educational engagement despite the presence of many institutions in the region.
“The challenges confronting the youth of Bugisu are multifaceted, with one of the prominent issues being the educational hurdles. Despite the presence of numerous educational institutions in the region, adequate support for the youth to engage in these establishments is lacking,” Lukaya stated.
He also pointed out the alarming number of skilled youth who are marginalized, stressing that corruption is a significant concern that needs to be addressed.
Lukaya expressed doubts about the transparency of job allocations in the region, citing the recent appointments in the office of the President as an example of the disparity.
“The transparency regarding the allocation of jobs to individuals from Bugisu remains dubious. The recent appointments to the office of the President within our region have left us astounded,”Lukaya remarked.
Trimlet Muweleza, the Chairperson of Bugisu Youth cooperative Sacco, underscored the importance of President Museveni’s visit as an opportunity for the youth to voice their concerns directly.
He recounted the youth’s efforts to organize themselves and support the president, including a pledge.
However, complications arose in accessing these funds, causing frustration among the youth.
“Why are we, as the youth of Bugisu region, encountering stumbling blocks? Are we being blackmailed? Are we isolated within Uganda or beyond its borders?”Muweleza questioned, emphasizing the need for direct engagement with the president.
He also noted that despite initiatives like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), many youth have been excluded from these programs.
Muweleza urged President Museveni to consider their plight seriously during his visit, hoping for a productive dialogue without intermediaries.
