President Yoweri Museveni has challenged the youths in Uganda to take charge of their future and follow up youth related programs being implemented by government to ensure they are working effectively.
The President faulted young people for lacking interest in political affairs of the country and leaving him to fight their battles.
Museveni said this in a recorded message to the young people which was screened on Saturday during the 5th edition of the Young Achievers Awards held at Kampala Serena Hotel.
The awards, organized by Reach a Hand Uganda (RAHU) seek to recognize youths in Uganda who have made exceptional efforts to impact the society.
“I am always fighting for the youth funds alone; fighting with these people who want new districts. People with wrong priorities are the ones who are vocal but you (youth), you don’t say anything about yourselves,” the President said.
In the recent past, the Youth Livelihood Fund implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development has been marred with corruption with some district officials and youth leaders apprehended for swindling money meant for the program.
Museveni added, “I end up being a lonely fighter on behalf of absentee beneficiaries. I hear there are youth but I don’t see them when I am fighting for them. It’s as if am fighting for myself.”
“Me, I don’t want a student loan scheme. I don’t need to get money from the youth livelihood fund. But I’m always fighting these battles.”
In as much as they (youth) would love to pursue their talents in singing, dancing and sports, the President underscored the importance of the politics in shaping such careers.
“I want you to be interested in the politics of your country because you can’t do any business where there’s no security,” he said.
On the part of government, he made assurance of continued support to the youth who make up 78 percent of Uganda’s population through grants, revolving funds to enable especially those in industry to purchase machinery for value addition.
Museveni reminded the young folks of the threat of the HIV scourge, urging them to avoid living reckless lives.
“You can look at a bean outside and think it is okay yet inside the weevil has already eaten it. We don’t want our youth to be eaten by the HIV virus. They should avoid reckless lifestyle of smoking, drinking, eating marijuana which affect their health,” he noted.
Museveni commended the organizers of the Awards which he said grants youths a platform to shape their future.