KAMPALA – Youth have been urged to seek elective positions despite the high costs involved.
Speaking during the 2nd Regional Youth e-Conference on Sexual Reproductive Health, Environment & Climate Change, Job Creation and Leadership at Kampala Serena Hotel on Tuesday, several analysts said youth can only change leadership by becoming leaders themselves.
“I would like to encourage all the young people out there who have taken the mantle to go for leadership positions not to be discouraged because of the monetization of politics in this country,” Lillian Aber, the chairperson of the National Youth Council, said.
“I call upon all the young people to support the young people who are coming in. Without young people on the table, the issues of young people may not be attended to,” she added.
SOS country director Olive Lumonya said: “We have to recognize the young people because they are the voices we need to listen to. We need to give the young people the mentorship they need. We need to listen to them. This is what we do at SOS.”
At the conference, several stakeholders observed that youth have been severely impacted by COVID-19.
State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi said: “Our youth face sexual reproduction health challenges that continue to impinge on their development. Almost 4,000 rape cases have been reported during the COVID-19 period. We also have sexual violence, unsafe abortion, high teenage pregnancy, high dropout rates for girls, early marriage, and early childbearing.”
