Uganda Launches UN-Backed Program to Empower Adolescents and Youth
In a bid to improve the lives of Uganda’s adolescents and youth, the government has partnered with United Nations agencies and national and international civil society organizations to launch the UN Uganda Adolescents & Youth Program.
This initiative aims to address persistent challenges hindering progress in key areas such as access to sexual and reproductive health information, educational attainment, employment opportunities, environmental resilience, and peace and security.
“Young people have a lot of challenges like early pregnancies, school dropout, female genital mutilation, child labour, early marriages, herding cattle, among others in Uganda and in Karamoja in particular. We are committed to empowering Uganda’s youth to realize their full potential,” said Kyateka Mondo, the Commissioner of Youth and Children’s Affairs from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development during the District orientation of the Uganda UN Joint Adolescents and Youth Programme at Moroto District Chambers.
“This program will provide essential tools and services to support their health, education, and economic well-being,” Mondo added.
The orientation was facilitated by Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja under the Building Resilience in Conflict affected and Fragile Communities of Karamoja (BRICK) project funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The United Nations Adolescents and Youth Joint Programme is a proposed effort aimed at complementing existing UN and government endeavors seeks to address gaps in current programmes and provide additional support in areas requiring increased investment, according to the programme briefing document 2023-2025.
“The proposal is rooted in an assessment of the needs of Ugandan adolescents and youth since 2010 and identifies areas where progress has faltered, especially due to setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionally affected young individuals. By improving these gaps, the joint programme aims to further improve the lives and prospects of Uganda`s young generation,” the document added.
The program will focus on eight districts across Uganda, with a special emphasis on Moroto and Kotido districts in Karamoja. This region has faced significant challenges, including seven droughts between 1991 and 2001, and subsequent droughts in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011.
According to the In-charge of Child and Family Protection Unit, Uganda Police Moroto, Joyce Alioru, the region grapples with alarming rates of early pregnancy and child neglect. “Out of 50 cases reported to the police every month, 40 are committed by young people aged between 18 to 30 years,” she noted. “This highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to support our youth.”
The program is designed to achieve three key outcomes. Firstly, it aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of health and protection services for adolescents and youth. This will be achieved by providing them with essential tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Secondly, the program will support adolescents and youth in transitioning to secondary education and reducing the number of youth not in employment, education, or training. This will involve various initiatives to promote educational attainment and economic empowerment.
Thirdly, the program recognizes the importance of involving youth in matters that shape and redefine the country, with potential mid to long-term impact on them. This will ensure that young people have a voice and are actively engaged in shaping their own futures.
“The program will focus on preventing and responding to school-related violence, offering protection and a sense of safety for adolescents and youth within the school environment and broader community,” said an official from the UNDP family.
David Koryang, LCV Moroto, emphasized, “I appeal to the stakeholders to support this program, which will improve the lives of adolescents and youth in Moroto and Karamoja at large. The program should focus on mindset change. Empowering our youth is crucial for the development of our district and region.”
Mr. Simon Peter Nangiro, Chairman of Karamoja Elders Association, added, “We elders are committed to supporting initiatives that promote the well-being and development of our youth. We must continue advocating for good cultural practices and abandoning harmful cultural practices like female genital mutilation. This program aligns with our cultural values and aspirations for a brighter future.”
The RDC Moroto, Jane Francis Amongin Okili concluded, ” if we keep children at school, even cattle rustling will stop because the Karacuna who normally participate in the raids will be busy at school. We are committed to working together to ensure the success of this program and improve the lives of Uganda’s adolescents and youth.”
This initiative builds on existing UN and government-supported adolescents and youth interventions, anchored within the UNSDCF and government frameworks. With a focus on empowering young people, Uganda is taking a crucial step towards unlocking the potential of its youthful population.
James Odong
Communication Officer,
Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja.
