The government’s introduction of the youth’s livelihood program

On 5^th April 2014, panelists appeared on HITS FM to discuss the government’s introduction of the youth’s livelihood program and the high rate of un employment among the youths. “Since the 1990’s, the National Resistance Movement government has been passing different programs but their implementation has been left incomplete and therefore failed because the programs are always introduced towards the election period to buy people’s votes. Such programs include Vision 2025, Entandikwa scheme, NAADS, among others. The newly introduced Youths Livelihood program is also targeting people’s votes and we expect less impact from it”, said John Byabazaire, a local citizen of Kabarole District. The panelist was discussing on ToroDev supported live radio discussion called ‘Orukurato Program’ that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (8:00 – 10:00pm).

Youth state minister Ronald Kibuule

Other panelists who participated in the live radio discussion included Mr. Kibonge Sam Kusemererwa a local citizen of Kabarole District and Mr. Mukwano Ssenyonjo, the Chairperson of People’s Rights and Forum for Development in Mugusu Sub County, Kabarole District.

During the program, Mr. Mukwano blamed leaders for not developing the youths who carry the biggest percentage of Uganda’s population. “Our leaders have not done much to develop the youths. Leaders have not formed long lasting and reliable strategies that can solve issues like unemployment among the youths. Youths have few representatives in parliament and that’s why we see government positions dominated by aged people who are no longer productive”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sam Kibonge also participated in the live radio discussion by highlighting some of the reasons why the youth’s livelihood program may not realize much impact. “The youths livelihood program may not realize much impact because leaders did not make research among youths to seek for their opinion, no sensitization was done about the program, the program is targeting a small number of youths, money allocated to the program is too little to even help the few youths who are in groups and the introduction of the program has been a rash for meeting mutual interests in the election period”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins and using the SMS plat form to raise their issues and concerns. “Why should leaders introduce the youths livelihood program when we are approaching the presidential campaigns”, said Kirungi Tadeo from Fort Portal Municipality, “As youths, we have not been sensitized about the youths livelihood program”, said Bukenya from Karangura Sub County, Kabarole District, “Youths have been taken up by gambling activities like pool tables instead of embracing entrepreneurship development”, said Masiko Steven, “I advice youths not to rely on the youths livelihoods program for development because the allocated funds are too little”, said a caller from Kicwamba Sub County, Kabarole District, “We need to know where to get the application forms for funds of the Youths Livelihood program”, said Kamugisha Edward.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto.