FOREWARDThe Kibaale Youth Conference preset an opportunity to for the sustained effort to participate in the country’s development process. The Youth possess greater energy, workforce and potential in our communities that cause change for sustainable development. According to the 1995 Constitution of Uganda and national youth council statute 1993, the Youth are defined as those between18 – 30 (5) years of age.
Youth are a uniquely challenging group for policy makers. They are large, politically visible, and sensitive age group that often requires a visible political response.
They have no formal voice, which leaves them susceptible to socially disruptive activities, such as political violence, unrest, crime and drug abuse.
There seems to be a lot of work being done by the Youth in Kibaale District and in other Districts of Bunyoro. However, little impact is seen on ground. A lot is being said about the Youth; in meetings, in churches, on streets, in media but what do they present as their problem to prosperity?
We have discussed about unemployment (employment) among the Youth for quite a long time. It’s as if more and more challenges are being born in the environment
The conference was a product of the much cherished programme on Kagadi Kibaale community Radio, KKCR 91.7FM called the youth parliament broadcasting every Sunday evening.
The conference extends to organizing Youth for community action in farming, education, accountability and moral image building.
Kibaale Youth Conference presented an opportunity to invite all stakeholders to tackle issues of prosperity by ensuring that young people receive the attention they deserve in global, national and local efforts to create wealth.
Acknowledgment
The Youth Forum, the Youth Parliament wishes to acknowledge KKCR 91.7 and URDT in general for the two hour air time live talk shows it rendered to Youth since 2001 to date, always on Sundays from 5:00Pm to 7:00Pm, A show that has consequently facilitated change among different Youth in Kibaale and the neighboring Districts.
KKCR was the main player in this conference. We are grateful to the airtime, and venue facilitation you accorded to us. Without them, holding this conference would not be a thorough success. Your efforts should continue to the Youth.
With great pleasure, we would want to recognize the efforts of Kibaale District local government who have supported this conference to a success. Their financial, guidance and moral support can not be neglected. Special thanks to the Chairperson Kibaale District, the Chief administrative officer, and the Community and Probation Offices. The above offices have been of great importance to this Conference.
The Youth in Kibaale wish to acknowledge the efforts of EMECO development foundation. Specific recognition goes to the director of this organization and the leadership there. When we approached them to support this Conference, they were very helpful and supportive. They were with us from the beginning up to the last.
We do not want to forget Bunyoro Kitara kingdom, and the office of the Prime Minister. Their guidance has kept the Youth on truck. Without their continuous reminders probably we would have lost truck. We thank the minister in charge of Youth in our beloved kingdom.
Our members of Parliament, Buyaga, Buyanja, Bugangaizi and the woman member of Parliament of Kibaale are equally acknowledged. The efforts of the lands state minister Dr Kasirivu Atwooki can not be forgotten. His love for the Youth is remarkably good.
The list is endless, our 20 Sub-Counties in Kibaale, we thank you very much. All councilors at different levels keep it up.
The most important of all people are the youth themselves. It’s from them, that this idea was born. The organizers of the youth forum-youth parliament carried a big burden of explaining this conference from the start to the end.
We thank you very much
Musana Eric
Youth Conference Coordinator
1.0 Introduction/ Background
This is the Kibaale Youth Conference report that was held at URDT Kagadi on the 31st of August 2008. The purpose of the Conference was to bring together all Youth in Kibaale District.
The Conference was organized by active Youth of Kibaale District. The Youth committed themselves to under take the issue the visionary approach towards development.
They were evaluating why they have remained in the ‘background’ continuing to play a supportive role in the political and economic process in the country without reward. They were wondering why their issues have continued to be footnotes in the local and national debates and this has made young people disillusioned with the leadership trends in Uganda.
The Youth think there is a need to redefine their role in political, economic and social spheres to suit the current globalization challenges.
Following the above trends, a panel of Youths on the Youth Forum-Youth Parliament devoted the month of May and June 2008 on issues directly related to them. They were asking questions on what has gone wrong with their development. This followed a series of meetings and consultations, the Youth agreed to have the first ever Youth Conference that would address such issues.
The Youth have been asking questions on why they are static in development. The Youth have also explored on group formation towards improving their livelihoods and influence the community.
They have discussed group dynamics, a thing which prompted them to convene a Youth conference.
The Youth affirm that, they seem to be left behind. Currently other marginalized groups of people like women and the elderly have got forums, which is still a gap among Youth.
The Youth forum -the Youth Parliament believes that, the Youth need urgent attention for social and economic empowerment, if they are to realize the vision of a fundamental change which lies in their hands.
After person to person interactions and telephone discussions we conducted with leaders, we discovered on many occasions, youth have remained at the receiving end. Some allege that the government has not done enough for them and more so their leaders.
They seemed to believe that they have been left behind. The above agonizing created a paradox on when shall they stop stating problems. Is there a time they would need to recognize their strength and minimize their challenges?
It’s from this that an entrepreneurship conference was organized. The conference addressed majorly active youths that they need to double their efforts.
2.0 Conference Objectives:
The conference carried on three short and long term objectives that would be met during and after the conference. The following write up explains our objectives;
The first objective was to Unite the youth in Kibaale District for a common interest of development. You will recognize that the youth have been fragmented by different societal challenges. Some of these may be cultural, status, level of education, politics and location. Every individual has been working out his plan. No one seemed to understand that we need each other if Kibaale is to develop. The efforts of one individual would not mean much.
We believe if Youth managed to transcend those barriers to development, they can formulate a vision relevant for them and the community where they live.
We would want to happily report that, the Youth after the conference understood this idea of unity. They never remained the same. A random sample that we carried out after the conference, many youth confirmed that the conference has been beneficial and relevant. In one group discussion, we over heard one youth remark that;
“At last we have had a chance to come together as youth of Kibaale district. Our youth leaders have neglected us for long. Other groups of people, like the women and the elderly are far. We need to catch up”
The second objective was to increase Youth awareness on their role in cultural, economic and political spheres in the current globalization changes. The papers presented by different speakers during the conference highlighted this objective.
The Youth were able to understand that they have a big role to play if they are to move at the same level.
The third objective was to enable the Youth develop a positive attitude towards entrepreneur ship skills to develop their own societies. This was the main aspect of the conference. It presented the main idea of the conference.
The theme of the day was “Entrepreneurship and Development, working towards a nation that works for each of us”
To achieve this, three topics were identified for guest speakers. This strategy helped us to remain focused on the theme. These were;
1. “The current state of Youth in social, economic and political spheres of development” by Bunyoro Kitara kingdom
“The Role of Youth in Nation Building; Bunyoro’s agenda for Development”
By EMESCO Development Foundation
“The Role of Entrepreneurship Skills for Youth, a Visionary Agenda for Uganda”
BY Uganda Rural Development and Training Programme (URDT)
This report will later explain the presentations made in a summary form, in order to give the gist of the conference.
3.0 What was done
Ø Sub county youth meetings of all youth leaders
Ø Media campaigns on Kagadi Kibaale community radio
Ø Conceptual meeting with the youth and the management of URDT for consultations
Ø Meetings with Kibaale youth council
Ø Paper presentation by different stake holders
Ø Youth views submission during the conference
Ø Facilitation in form of transport to youth
Ø Provision of meals and drinks to participants
Ø Live broadcast of the conference proceedings on Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
Ø Report writing
4.0 DATA PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION
The bar graph showing the age bracket of the youth who turned up for the conference
The table showing sex category of the youth who attended the Conference
MALE
FEMALE
560
142
80%
20%
PIE-CHART SHOWING THE STATUS OF LAND OWNERSHIP AMONG THE
Youth with land
Youth with no land
Not sure.
208
429
63
29%
62%
9%
YOUTH
Ø The Youth Conference was successfully attended by targeted youth age bracket as clearly reflected bar-graph were the age bracket between (21-30) which contributed 63% and (15-20) age bracket contributed 34% .
Ø (21-31) 63%. These are Youth who have probably finished their professional courses. It further includes those still pursuing their courses but with difficulties. The bracket trained to seek for job and now on street thus making it a delicate age for policy makers to reflect on with an immediate cause.
Ø Female Youth Contributed ONLY 20 % of the youth that attended the Youth Conference as portrayed in table showing sex category of the Youth who attended Conference. Considering Uganda’s demographic figures. Females are more in number than male. This highly shows that, there is still a serious need to mobilize female youth for youth activities.
Ø The 20% of female Youth who turned up for the Conference still shows the effects of customary beliefs that female don’t have to go in big gatherings and start talking in the presence of men.
Ø Given the data in the pie-chart, 61% of youth don’t own land and land is a factor of production. This can be attributed to the low participation by youth in agriculture. This has aggravated the situation where the youth have been left with no collateral security as a requirement for loans in many micro finance and banks today.
5.0 PAPER PRESENTATION
5.1 The Role of Youth in National Building
By EMESCO Development Foundation
The priceless resource of any country is its human resource. There is no other resource that matches the human being, because mankind is the foundation or the corner stone of any development. Out of the human intellect a nation is build. This can be confirmed by the fact that many counties are able to attain steady growth and development with limited natural resource through the intelligence of their people and the labor force. Youth are a crucial segment of a nation’s development. Their contribution therefore is highly needed.
▪ Youth are social actors of change and as the sayings goes; ‘youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also the partners of today.’’ the youth are the agents of development.
The ability of society to develop itself based at least in part on the extent to which it can integrate the potential and input of the youth generation into future planning and development process.
▪As scholars have stated “time is not a valuated by what has been harvested, but what has been planted.’’
▪The youth plays a vital role in community mobilization for development work.
The youth mobilize fellow youth who form an energetic and bigger percentage of the society. They receive education from far and wide, and therefore influence society.
▪ The youth are a potential force for advocacy, human rights spearheading policy reform through organized youth advocacy, raising youth’s awareness of their rights, and spreading the culture of peace and dialogue, with the aim of changing negative concepts and erroneous beliefs in children’s upbringing and education, and advocating among government, media, and international donors across the region to spread this culture.
▪The youth should be in position to guide government and other development partners on key policy issues of development and advocate for their own inclusion.
▪ The youth are a better group to undertake political literacy; promote politics of development, which calls for positive politics for economic rights, civic law, constitutionalism to realize development.
▪ The youth are a think-tank. They are expected to lead in entrepreneurship, be innovative, and spur massive production which leads to better incomes, improved tax base for the government, better social services.
The youth can only play the role in national building if they are Educated, disciplined, organized, united and working as a team.
It is important to note that as youth we must be ready and wiling to make advantage of any opportunity that comes our way. The youth can’t all work in office ,therefore some of us would have to train ourselves to be welders , plumbers , electrician , carpenter , craftsmen , farmers and so on.
Contribution of other development partners towards youth empowerment and development
▪ The political leaders have the duty to organizing, educating, advocating youth in democratic processes
These initiatives are unique because youth play a central role in the determination and execution of strategic and integration at the community.
▪ Recognizing youth as stakeholders in development and planning ‘implementation, monitoring, and evaluation as well as acknowledgment youth initiative through the provision of financial and technical support
▪ ensuring the inclusion of marginalized youth, whether living under extreme poverty conditions, youth with disabilities, or otherwise marginalized, with particular attention to gender equity principals.
▪ reviewing national laws to tackle legal loopholes that exclude the voice of youth from policy and decision- making processes.
▪ paying particular attention to youth capacity building and empowerment programs in formal and informal education programs and community development schemes
▪ Strengthening partnership at the regional and national levels, in order to create models and best practices for youth inclusion and affective participation in development affecting their daily lives
▪ Uganda as a nation, Bunyoro sub-region and Bunyoro kingdom and other development partners need to have sound policy guidelines on youth development which can enable constant and timely review and implementation of regional and national youth policies.
The above is the new paradigm, which is expected to be the engine for translating commitment into action and for constructing an evidence base, which clearly demonstrates the assets of youth and overturns popular. It will also drive the design and implementation of innovative sustainable mechanisms, structures and strategies intending to capture the unique ideals , energy , vision and creativity of youth and channel then into structures and processes that promote development.
5.2 The role of Entrepreneurship skills; A Visionary agenda for Uganda
By Mwalimu Musheshe
One of the most significant skills of Entrepreneurship is having a new idea. The whites who have ruled us for a long time started with the philosophers. Philo is love sophy is wisdom. People who love wisdom develop the world. Refrain from social pressures, and develop a new agenda.
Secondly, transform that idea into a picture of what you truly want. We have talked about this vision for so long and people thought we were joking. When President Museveni was here (URDT) 1995, we told him Uganda badly needed a galvanizing vision. In 1998, they formulated vision Uganda 2025.
Honorable speaker will be my witness, Kibaale district has 2013. Forget about whether they are implementing it.
Thirdly, share that vision. Your vision must be shared. If you read john 1:1, at the beginning there was a word. It’s not by accident that an idea turned into a word and later to a human being. Share it with friends.
In so doing you will get people of three categories. Some will down play your idea, others will threaten you and a few will give you a go ahead. No one will take you away. Commitment is relevant to this vision.
I always say that if you do not know where you are going, you can not get lost. Even if you reach there, you will not know. That is the power of having a clear picture of the future in the present.
It’s not true that the poor have no plans. They have many of them in their brains. The Malwa drinkers have brilliant ideas, but those ideas stop at that joint. Do not be like them. Do not leave these things here.
After knowing where you are going, it’s important to know where you are. Know what is in your possession. Entrepreneurship does not mean transactions only. Iam a social entrepreneur, we have economic, cultural and political entrepreneurs. There is one entrepreneur called Tayebwa who is selling local hubs in Kagadi. He has clients more than those Dr. Kakibogo has. He is just using psychology.
The next step is, recognizing the gap between where you are and what you truly want to do. It’s on the basis of that gap that planning begins. The problem with the youth, after recognizing this gap, they withdraw after seeing its magnitude. They lower the vision to correspond to their current reality.
I advise you to sustain this structural tension to enable you move from your current reality to a vision.
In 1980, we went into an election. There were assertions of vote rigging. Museveni decided to go the bush. He had warned us that those involved in rigging would be dealt with. Obote threatened the do the same. The election was stalled.
Make a mental picture now, the Obote government had 50,000 strong troops and 24 barracks and armed with weapons. He had the international community support. He was in control of every thing.
Where did president Museveni get the charisma to start with 30 people with 27 guns?
For us we complain of resources. In few years the Obote government was no more with just 27 guns.
The youth you have short term rather than long term view of the world. Secondly you do not believe in yourself.
In URDT we say, the people of Uganda like the people world over are key to their own development. I want to remember that you have the key to create the life you want to live. It may in politics, in business or whatever you want. Let me focus on business.
In economics, we have the factors of production. The first capital is you. In the 21st century, if you do not use your brain, you are dead. Graduate from using energy to using brain power.
Second source of capital is called social capital. In 1969, I began business with 10shillings. In a month, I had one hundred shillings. I was roasting groundnuts. I established a restaurant from this money. By the time I went to Nyakasure I had so much money. Your minds have been tied to big monies. You do not want to be seen perform a small venture. Who are you not to be seen? Know one is seeing you. They are busy on their businesses. Do not minimize jobs. You are the biggest resource to change your source.
The other factor of production is labor, skilled, Semi skilled and unskilled. If you are in this category, look for social capital. Come together as youth for one strong idea. The problem with the youth, you want to work alone. When you decide to work together, you are engulfed in fighting for girl friend and boy friend issues.
Recently barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton were at logger heads of who should represent the party. Hillary Clinton understood the idea and she transcended to leave Obama lead the party to an election. The bigger vision to rule America ruled them.
There is a higher goal beyond an individual. You may have no skills but have a pool of people to perform wonders. Entrepreneurship is to recognize yourself that can, you have the power, and vision.
You need strong social –economic networks. There are people who try to do this but do it wrongly. You find them buying beers for people who are of higher status. Forget the luxury. Time is coming for that.
It was sheer courage based on vision that Museveni managed to fight the Obote regime with only 27 guns.
You should understand that you have the power to create your vision. I swear that there is nothing that social capital can not do. If you are doing business you can not work with only your tribe. You need to coordinate so effectively with all cultures to do business.
The last item is good values. Be a person of integrity, honest, and truthful. If you practice this, people will work with you and sell your idea.
I normally tell people that there are no poor people but there are only poorly organized people. If the youth want to influence policies, participate in elections, support and mobilize yourselves. You should move from agonizing to organizing.
6.0 Youth Submission and Participation
During the conference youth presented debates and discussions on what should be done to alleviate the current state of youth. The following were some of the issues presented by them;
1. The youth should develop the spirit of saving such that we accumulate capital. Youth should also participate in government programmes. The other is formation of solidarity groups for unity. By Birungi Madinah Muhorro sub county
2. Government should develop policies that enable youth access loans and grants. Bursaries should be created for youth. By Johnbosco Mugabirwe, Mpeefu Sub county
3. Government should improve on social infrastructures. Initiate forums of this kind for youth and other groups of people. By Habyarimana Noah
4. The youth should invest in projects that can yield results. This will help them acquire funds needed to develop themselves. By Byaruhanga Charles, Rugashari Subcounty and Irumba Emmanuel Kakumiro
5. We should form an association that intervenes in our social economic challenges. The sub county vote should be channeled through this association. By Friday Kisiita s/c
6. We should encourage education that creates jobs to help us face different challenges from different angles. By Basemere Patrick, Kato Robert,
7.
8. Some teachers who were appointed and not on pay roll should be helped to get their salary. By Ndyereba Posiano, Kasambya
9. The association formed should equally represent the youth in all sub counties of the district. By Babwetera Pascal
10. Some officers are too old to be civil servants. They should retire for the youth to get jobs. By Kisakye Robert Kagadi sub county, Sebwanika Chris,
11. We should form an umbrella organization as a strategy to benefit from the oil in Bunyoro. by Kitone Disan Kagadi sub county, Busobozi Moses, Katende Sunday
12. youth should copy skills from other successful people. They should engage in commercial agriculture. Emmanuel T. Kwizera Emma
13. Tenderers should lower their market dues. Birungi john Kagadi, Gumikiriza John Mary Muhorro Sub County.
14. Youth should access land. Leaders should stop embezzling public funds. By Tumukugize John, Kyanaisoke s/c, Tusiime j Salongo, Kayanja Bwikara,
15. Women youth should be given special treatment. District youth leaders should come back to the grassroot. By Nabagereka Mary, Matale s/c, Tusiime Julius, Kagadi s/c, Bamukunda Vincent, Rugashari, Kusiima Matia, Kagadi
16. A micro finance should be opened aiming at providing credit facilities to small youth groups. Chris Kagadi Town council,
17. Youth should avoid gabling, time wastage, and have vision for prosperity. Lucky Edward, Muhorro s/c, Ahalikundiara Ivan, Kagadi s/c
18. The youth should pool resources towards a common pool and form a cooperative credit and savings. Vocational training should be emphasized. Dalton .K. Justus,
19. We should demand Kagadi district. This will help youth acquire jobs. Kweziga Horebu, Muhorro sub county
20. Government should vocationalise all levels of education. Financial institutions should cater for youth on interest and security. The Lands ministry should listen to the cries of the youth in Kibaale. Youth councils should be strengthened. From Mugarama memorandum and presented by Bikorwa Phillips
21. Employers should not ask for experience as considerations for recruitment. Youth committees should be revised and the youth should also be allowed to have representatives. Early marriages should be discouraged. The negative attitude towards youth change. From the memoranda of Mabaale Youth, presented by Isingoma J.
22. Unity and honesty needed. We should start up an association to be funded by us. By Kahoiga Amos, Rubangira Matiya, Tusiime David, Kobonesa Rose, Sam Designer, Master Guard
7.0 The Kagadi declaration
The 700 youths, who were in attendance, agreed to form an umbrella organization in Kibaale that would champion their development. Youth made commitments to shift from agonizing to organizing. This was dubbed the Kagadi declaration.
The youth echoed their voice on the current state of youth affairs and the way forward – the vision.
The most interesting and revealing time was when they discussed their aspirations. It was agreed that the conference be made annual.
It’s time we transcend those deceptions levied on youth. In this way we shall hearten and cause change.
8.0 SPEECHES
8.1 District Youth Council Submission
Bisoborwa Peter the chairperson Youth Kibaale youth thanked the chairman and chief executive officer URDT for the efforts he has invested in the youth. He said the youth forum has grown into a very big thing which makes a complete conference.
The work done by the leaders of youth forum, youth parliament is quite similar with what is done by the district youth council but the only advantage with the youth forum is the broadcasting element.
The Kibaale youth council is proud to associate itself with the Youth parliament of KKCR. When Youth parliament was organizing this conference, the national youth council was fully involved. I call upon all youths to participate fully.
Africa and our societies have been marginalized because of the education system we go through. The Youth need to double their efforts given the few resources that are available. We need to build nationalism for our country Uganda.
The Youth must guard against the AIDS scourge that has affected the people. Youth too have been victims of this disease.
He highlighted on youth council roles;
Mobilizing the Youth for gainful venture and spend their time gainfully
Youth council is tasked for uniting all the Youth for a common goal irrespective of tribe, religion, political, race and other differences.
Encourage the Youth in meaningful economic activities like agriculture, forestry, small scale industry among others.
Prepare fellow young people of different tribe, religion, political affiliation among the youth in particular and all people in Kibaale in general.
To unite people of different tribes, religion, political affiliation among the Youth in Kibaale district.
The chairperson said that the above roles being spearhead by this conference, therefore means that the organizers of this conference have complimented the youth council roles in the District.
He further said that the District financial contribution to the conference was backed by the District Youth Council. It sent one of their executive member Mr. Ndibwami Yosia to permanently camp at the URDT for participation in organizing the conference. He was happy to continue hearing him on Radio programme during mobilization.
Finally he called the Youth in the conference to go by the theme of becoming entrepreneurs for self sustainability, thanked main speakers/ presenters for the knowledgeable submission and called upon youth to put in practice the knowledge acquired in the conference.
He promised to continue supporting such function as long as he is in office and assured organizers for continued support for future conferences.
8.2 Deputy Resident District Commissioner Kibaale District Presentation
By Catherine Kamwine
To day, the theme is about Entrepreneurship. Each one of you here is deemed to be an entrepreneur. I want thank you people for recognizing the importance of this conference. The problems are many but we are moving on.
Many of you here are smart. If your hearts too were smart, we would move out of this room with prosperity. Your face reads development and sited peaceful.
Our skin color is the same here. Party or religious affiliations are not relevant. We can not develop with those negative assertions.
I have three major points to make. The first is about attitude. If your brain is set to prosperity, then you are assured, you will have it, if you are the kind of youth who keeps on agonizing, then you will never take any step. Remember the time you have is limited. I was once a youth. Am just five years older in youth hood.
At the time of graduating from youth age, I had land and a house. They were not for my husband but my personal property. So you can also do it.
This conference is for all youth whether studied or not. Studying is an advantage to success. If you never made it, it’s no crime. If your attitude is positive, you can not go wrong.
If I had not changed on my attitude, I would not be what am to day.
Let me give you a simple explanation. I became an orphan when I was 15years only. My dad was a business person and a farmer. My mum was purely a house wife. She was purely a dependant. After burial, I was told that there were no school fees for me. My dad was no more. I never wanted to be punished twice.
Orphans you know what it means. I was vulnerable given that I was a girl. Men lined up for marriage.
Before the death of my dad, I reared goats. To cut the story short I disagreed with the family and I went to school. I carried what belonged to me. I collapsed in class when the news of my dad reached me. I was hospitalized and later recovered. At one time I was an athlete.
The school administration knew that one athlete is off record. They lamented, “She has been performing very well in class.” Sympathy was all over.
The next, I received the news that I was given a scholarship on condition that I maintained a one to five position. Another condition was to perform best as an athlete. I signed this heavy contract because I was determined to do it.
My attitude was positive. My goats at home helped to cater for my uniforms and other necessities. I got what I wanted. Change your attitude too, to get what you want in life.
Do not lament. The assertion that Money is being misused at the district is not enough. Contest 2011 if you think it’s the solution. The constitution of Uganda and the local government act stipulates that, leaders who are voted into office and do not deliver accordingly they should be voted out of office or given a vote of no confidence. But there is a procedure you have to follow.
If you have any leader who has not performed to your expectations, then you vote them out. I know some of you will fear to do this.
The next challenge is what you are doing to help your fellow youth. Remember you are running short of time. You are going to compete with honorable Banabas and the other political leaders. You have the capacity to perform if you decide. If you loose, there is no case.
Please form an organization that will bind you together. Transcend tribal conflicts. you are saying government has not done enough for youth, well we held the same view as we women long ago.
Affirmative action on the disadvantaged helped to bring down these concerns. It gave us a platform for leadership. We were given special seats. Please contest as members of parliament. Its high you people made a network of women, elderly, and disabled. This network of these groups of people will help you achieve political power.
We need to have an agenda, political, social or even economic. Attitude is one type of capital. The second one is labor.
I have met a man called Benard who owns a solar company in Mbarara. He studied and went to Kampala. He learnt that there was a training course at URDT. He finished his course from here. Just after the training he was given another opportunity to go to China. He had his first degree from Makerere and had a certificate from URDT. He went to china.
On coming back, he was told to conduct research in rural areas on those topics that can market what he had studied. He wrote a proposal on that. Government funded his project and now he is driving with a flourishing business. He has plans to come back and thank URDT.
If your course you studied is not yet marketed, please add value to it. Do not underrate skills.
We need to add on skills. Do not go to Kampala to look for jobs, there are no jobs in Kampala.
This conducive environment supports productivity. Security is good in this country. Do not do it for the sake. If you planted pineapples as a group, the market will not be a problem. Please come together as youth. Do not work as individuals.
Conduct research on a project you want to set up. In this, you will establish the market for it. You have been lamenting that you have not been included as model farmers. If you think there is one member who was selected and has no capacity, please come to my office and petition. I will help you.
The last one is time. Do not wait for any longer. Begin now. Do no think that you are still young. Ask yourself the number of years you have. Take on your talents.
You will need to consult people who are progressing. They will help you to draw your work plan. You need to create a job for yourself and for others.
I will be ready to work with the youth when you come up with an umbrella organization.
8.3 MP BUYAGA’S PRESENATION
By Banabas Tinkasimire
I wish to commend Mwalimu Musheshe for the facilities we are using right now.
You who are here for entrepreneurship, you are not only getting the knowledge alone but you are also looking at entrepreneurship at work here at URDT. A few years a go this was a forest. It’s now becoming magnificent town.
Youth, I have a package, for you. I have just by passed youth age. Youth are vital in society. Imagine a country with no youth, how it would look like. It would be a boring place to live in. for Gods plan we have all categories of people.
They say youth are leaders of tomorrow. I wouldn’t want to use this term. I would prefer to refer to you as leaders of today and tomorrow.
Revolutions which have been successful have been organized by youths. A live example is President Yoweri Museveni. He became chairman of Uganda military council when he was 34 years. He embarked on the struggle to liberate Uganda.
I would want you to be interested in leading your society. Some levels you may consider to be led but must make contributions towards your leadership.
Its in such conferences youth are sharpened to drive change. You should participate in politics. I do not fear competition. I have believed in compromises. If you are unopposed, you end up being a bad leader.
Am certain, your participation may give us options. You may say Banabas is arrogant or ambitious; there are people who would want that. I wouldn’t want Hon Namyaka come again in politics. The man has grand children to look after.
It’s a very big challenge on our side. In life we have opportunity and time. The RDC has talked about it. You can not stop the clock from moving.
When I was still in school, I used to cultivate. I planted groundouts in the morning and evening. These groundnuts helped me cater for my education. I bought some domestic animals for rearing.
I would urge you to ‘build’ yourself when you are still youth. Time will come when you want to do something but when you are not in position to do it just because you used your time wrongly. If you are student, please aim for higher grades.
Use the opportunity you have to shape your future. Be risk takers. Try, everything is possible.
Mwalimu has an institute for training people to do business. He is a generous man. Spend some time with him.
I want to encourage you, that even when you have stumbled, it’s not the end of you. I want to request you to desist from tribalism.
If you want to judge me, judge me as Banabas and not as a Mukiga. Judge me by my character.
A good Mukiga is so good. A bad Mukiga is so bad. A bad Munyoro is so bad and a good munyoro is so good for me. I would not be interested in pin pointing at people’s tribes. If you look at tribes your association will never prosper. Kibaale is very limited.
Lets have the vision that will not discriminate ourselves against the tribe but to work together to foster development.
Personally am pledging that every time you call a conference, I will be here. Secondly, am offering a computer set in your office that you are going to set up. I invite every body in 2011. Please come. You are not threatened by resources; it’s your determination that works.
I wish you a prosperous conference.
8.4 Closing Remarks by the Kibaale District Chairperson
George William Namyaka
In the interest of time, I welcome every one here. I want to thank Mwalimu Musheshe and the committee that organized this conference. I have a number of people who are here and are working on boards and commissions. They are my ears and eyes.
You should know that government has checks and balances. Parliament of Uganda has public accounts committee. No one is an angle. Let me leave it at that.
I want to thank Mwalimu and those who have conceived this idea of this youth conference. One man said, ‘if snakes combined their power, they would have had a powerful kingdom better than probably of Kabalega’.
I must thank youth in attendance across the district. We must acknowledge some ones contribution.
As a district, we have not had the capacity to organize such, a conference, am impressed with this initiative. All the points made have been relevant. You must make a copy of this conference to be a source of information. I may not have the opportunity of meeting all of you people like this.
I would like to thank you for those sentiments and points made for us to consider. This is appropriate forum to address such issues. Am happy to learn about those challenges you face. Although you have representations at sub county and district level, they may have their short comings at individual level.
I want the secretariat that has organized this conference to compile those key points for redress. Give those key points to all stake holders including our MPs.
Do not be scared. If you were entitled to it and you never benefited from them, please come up. If its corruption, please raise it to the relevant people.
I always say am the shock absorber. I listen. Am not scared of criticisms provided it’s given in good faith. None of us is infallible.
As you leave this place, be a new person. I want you explore youth strength and understand your weaknesses.
One man said, ‘we have done what we aught not to have done’. Have you done what is required of you so that you can project your problems to the MP, LC V, the president, the RDC? What have you done? Since morning we have been soul searching. While we task the government what it has done for you, ask yourself what you have done on your part. There is favorable environment
Well the government has a responsibility to provide jobs but what have you done to create jobs to yourself. You have certificates and degrees. We are making an atmosphere for you.
For example government has sent 200m for Birembo. It’s targeting the youth. We have been crying foul that there are no vacancies in other institutions. There are enough vacancies in Birembo. You should know that government cares.
I would like to use this opportunity, through you Mwalimu, that the youth forum, the youth parliament on this radio is good. This programme is good but I take exceptions. This programme is purely bashing government.
It should be used for productive ends. Use that programme to build capacity.
If you have a degree please add value to your course. The jobs will be there. Stop lamenting. The world has become competitive.
You have been bashing government on simple things. I appreciate that the more you talk, the more we become awake. A leader, who is not willing to listen, is a bad one.
I would like to assure you that I will support you. This should be an annual event. The district will support you accordingly.
I appreciate your concerns about NAADS. It’s because of this; President Yoweri Museveni came to Kibaale. There is now a new structure. Every one is talking about the six households. These six families work as a multiplier effect. This is a starting point. We may not start with 20m that president Museveni is talking about, the question is have you started?
I may not respond to all your concerns raised now, I will respond to them in my radio programme.
We are going to build on them and give answers to them whenever possible.
If the president comes, this may form the basis of our document as a result of the conference. I want to assure you that government wishes you good.
I was dealing with the veterans. They were fragmented. I told them form a group so that the organization can help them. So you should take up the challenge.
The next time you are coming, come with a friend in the next conference.
The youth can be gullible. Bring your ideas. We need them for development. As part of accountability, the next time we are meeting, have what to report in this conference.
If there are any queries, I will answer them. Send them to the secretariat. Please use KKC radio to develop yourselves. We shall be proud as people Kibaale and associates of URDT.
I thank you.
9.0 General Challenges
1. The journey to organize this conference has not been easy to us. The biggest challenge was, conceptual, to explain to the rest of the youth that it’s in their best interest to have such an arrangement.
2. The second was financial; the function required a lot of funds before and after the conference.
This was in terms of;
Transport for the youth to and from the conference
Lunch for the participants
Secretarial expenditures
Funds to print and bind this report
3. To make follow ups on meetings conducted at sub county level proved to be a challenge on us.
4. It was not easy to bring on board other leaders in the district who had fears about the conference
10.0 Recommendation
We recommend that youth leaders in the district to boost up their efforts in youth affairs.
The youth conference should be annual
A youth organization for Kibaale and subsequently Bunyoro should be formalized. Youth projects will be formed.
The plight for youth should be looked into by all partners in development. The civil society, the government and the church need to increase their support.
We recommend that the conference be rotation in all the counties of Kibaale district.
Kibaale district should support the new organization in offing financially. The youth vote should be channeled through this arrangement.
Government programmes should be designed to attract youth in the district.
there should be affair distribution of jobs and services to all people in the public service
Youth should look at, as leaders and not leaders of tomorrow and should not be used in politics or fueling conflict.
11.0 Conclusion
The challenges facing youth are enormous. They may never be solved to day and not even tomorrow. Concerted efforts by all partners can help us. There have been negative energies directed to youth; this has caused laxity in us. Its high we capitalized on the positive side as we work for social transformation.
The most interesting and revealing time was when they discussed their aspirations.
The youth parliament program, on KKCR, has for the last seven years been in quest of creating an environment for youth that would empower them for development. The program has significantly awakened policy makers and implementers. The youth too are on the same course of building a constructive progression on social cohesion, economic magnificence and political stability in Uganda.
We want to welcome you to the next conference that will be held next year 2009 in the month of August. We argue to support this cause. The challenges of youth may not be finished today but with a vision we shall get there.
APPENDICES
Dear Sir/ Dr/Hon……………………………………………
RE: INVITATION TO PRESENT A PAPER ON KIBAALE YOUTH CONFERENCE.
On behalf of the Youth Forum Youth Parliament on that, features on KKCR every Sundays; with honors we invite you to share your wisdom with Youth in Kibaale District in there first ever Youth Conference to be held on the 31st august 2008, at URDT Kagadi.
The theme of this conference will be “Entrepreneurship Skill Ideal for Youth Developments”
The purpose of this letter therefore, is to request you to present a paper on the topics mention here under;
4. “The current state of Youth in social, economic and political spheres of development” by Bunyoro premier Dr. Aliba Kiiza
“The Role of Youth in Nation Building; Bunyoro’s agenda for Development”
Mr. Emilly Kugonza Akiiki
“The Role of Youth Entrepreneurship Skills a Visionary Agenda for Uganda”
Mwalimu Musheshe
We thank you in advance
Agaba Villey Zaidi Musana Eric Acaali
Organizing Chairperson Youth Conference Coordinator
Tel: 0772 323 284 Tel: 0772 990 845
