The youths of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party have distanced themselves from the Youth Day celebrations to express their discontent with the range of challenges affecting the youth purportedly orchestrated by the ruling government.
According to Francis Adepo, the National Youth Chairman of FDC, the Ugandan government has failed in the skyrocketing youth unemployment with over 70%, delivering on promised programs like youth livelihood, exploitation by politicians, suppression of freedom of expression and association, entrenchment of corruption, and nepotism, among others.
“As the world marks International Youth Day, the FDC Youth League categorically disassociates itself from the sham celebrations orchestrated by the Ugandan government. The regime’s attempt to feign concern for the youth is a blatant mockery,” Adepo said.
Adepo added that the FDC Youth League will not be hoodwinked by empty rhetoric and tokenistic gestures.
“Instead, we will convene in our respective localities to protest the stagnant state of our nation, condemn systemic oppression, and reiterate our unwavering demand for a better future,” he said.
He also blamed the government for patronizing student leaders’ bodies, such as the Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA), which has been compromised, silencing students’ voices under the patronship of First Lady Janet Museveni.
“We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. We will rise against the status quo and fight for the rights, freedoms, and opportunities that are rightfully ours,” Adepo said.
According to Adepo, the FDC Youth League reiterates its commitment to a better future for all Ugandan youth, stating that the party’s policies offer a beacon of hope for a new Uganda, where quality education and healthcare are accessible to all, youth unemployment is addressed, political participation is democratized, and corruption is eradicated.
However, Balaam Barugahara, the Minister of State for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, said that supervised wealth creation and youth empowerment programs, including the Youth Livelihood Program, have been implemented since FY 2013/14 with an approved budget of around UGX 347.672 billion and FY 2023/24 with around UGX 241.45 billion, while around UGX 185.306 billion was disbursed to 23,315 projects.
Uganda has joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Youth Day at Soroti Primary Teacher’s College in Asuret sub-county, Soroti district, where President Museveni is expected to be the chief guest.
