The National Resistance Movement(NRM) director for Mobilisation, Hon. Rosemary Nansubuga Seninde has urged the youth to monitor government programs being implemented in their areas if they are to benefit and improve their lives.
Seninde was speaking to over 400 youth leaders that have camped at St. Joseph Bukkalamuli Catholic parish, Kikandwa Subcounty in Mityana district for a retreat that kicked off this week on the 19th Tuesday and shall close on Sunday.
"The NRM government has been implementing a lot of programs within your districts but many of you don't benefit due to limited supervision and follow up from you the very leaders.
Please stop lamenting and instead endeavour to monitor all government programs in your areas to improve your livelihoods," Hon Seninde told the youth leaders.
The former minister said by youth embracing the well-thought-out government programs, they will ably fight poverty and reduce the unemployment challenge.
The government has been implementing various programs like emyooga, women entrepreneurs fund, youth livelihood program and now the parish development model to be rolled out starting with the next financial year where every parish shall receive 100 million annually.
The NRM's chief mobilizer while presenting on atopic; The role of youth in multiparty politics in Uganda discouraged youth from chasing after quick money through handouts solicited from politicians and indulging in risky behaviours like betting since some politicians use them as a trap to exploit them during election seasons.
"Don't wait to be donated to by leaders and government but instead be innovative and improve your lives. Avoid leaders who confuse you without looking at what the government has done for you. The time has come to identify the right way to follow. ," Seninde appealed to the Mityana youth leaders.
Hon. Seninde also called up the youthful leaders to interest themselves in tracing and understanding the political history of their country and how the current leadership led by Gen. Museveni for long fought a people's protracted struggle against bad governance by former leaders to usher in the pro-people leadership that has existed up to date, saying by analysing this well, youth shall be able to determine their future.
"Throughout this retreat, I implore young people to learn where Uganda is coming from. This will allow understanding the future," Seninde said.
Some of the youth leaders while addressing Seninde blamed the failure of some government programs on increased corruption and growth impunity among accounting officers at various levels who connive with some leaders to misuse money intended to benefit the vulnerable youth.