President Museveni Urges Youth to Combat Corruption

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated his call to the youth to combat corruption through proper channels.

He emphasized that there is no need to take to the streets in protest; instead, corruption should be fought by closely monitoring government funds and ensuring transparency in their use.

He advised the youth to track the figures and report any misappropriation to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), and if the RDC fails to act, to use other available channels.

The President made these remarks while officiating at the International Youth Day celebrations held at Soroti Core Primary Teachers’ College in Soroti District.

The event, which takes place annually on August 12th, was themed

“Skills Development for Enhancement of Youth Opportunities.” International Youth Day is an occasion to bring youth issues to the forefront of global discussions and to celebrate the potential of young people as partners in today’s society.

President Museveni reassured Ugandans that corruption can be effectively dealt with if they work together. “We can eliminate these corrupt individuals; they are not a significant problem. All we need are the facts,” he stated.

The President also urged youth and activists to push for the implementation of free education in government schools. He expressed concern that despite the government’s efforts, free education programs have not been fully embraced, which he believes would benefit the entire country.

“When we introduced free education, we did so for a reason. Back in 1958, in my area of Kyamate, Ntungamo, very few children went to school, and even fewer progressed beyond Primary Six. We wanted to solve this problem by implementing free education in government primary and secondary schools. The wealthy can still send their children to private schools,” he explained.

Museveni questioned why leaders continue to impose charges in Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools, citing a significant disparity between the number of children in primary and secondary schools. “According to the figures I have, there are 11 million children in primary schools, but only 1.7 million in secondary schools. Where have the other 9.3 million children gone? Go back to your villages and check how many children have dropped out of school,” he urged.

The President also advised school-going children to work with their parents during holidays to improve their family’s income. He shared his own experience, stating, “Many people don’t realize that some of us were shaped by how we grew up. At the age of four, I was already helping with the livestock. By eight, I was looking after the bigger cows. Children should contribute to wealth creation during holidays.”

However, he cautioned parents against overworking their children. “I wouldn’t advise parents to overexploit their children as we were. My children and grandchildren don’t face the same pressure I did.”

President Museveni further emphasized the importance of physical fitness and active participation in sports for children while they are still in school. He also encouraged the youth to engage in spiritual development through religious programs to instill discipline and a fear of God. Additionally, he called for a review of cultural practices, especially those that mistreat women, to ensure they are beneficial for the younger generation.

Moreover, the President urged the youth to embrace and understand the four principles of the National Resistance Movement (NRM)—Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic Transformation, and Democracy—as pathways to prosperity. He highlighted that after completing their education, young people should focus on wealth creation through the four key sectors of the economy: commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services, and ICT. He noted that while government jobs are limited, the private sector offers abundant opportunities in the services sector.

Museveni also warned against environmental degradation, particularly the misuse of swamps, emphasizing that swamps play a critical role in sustaining water resources for dry land areas.

On a positive note, the President commended the people of Teso for their efforts in fighting poverty through commercial agriculture. He observed that many residents are now moving out of grass-thatched houses and are increasingly cultivating citrus fruits. He also mentioned the establishment of new management to oversee the local factory and stabilize the market.

The Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, echoed the importance of skills development, noting that it is crucial for the youth to seize available opportunities. She highlighted the challenges faced by young people, particularly the high number of those who are not in employment, education, or formal sectors. According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, Uganda has one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in the world, with 78.8 percent of its population under the age of 35.

Minister Amongi also pointed out the skills gap among the youth, which hinders their entry into the job market. She cited the 2021 Uganda National Labour Force Survey, which revealed that employers in both formal and informal sectors identify a lack of practical, digital, and entrepreneurial skills, as well as soft skills like managerial, communication, and social-emotional skills, as major barriers to youth employability.

She added that the current education system does not fully align with labor market needs, resulting in a mismatch of skills and competencies required for employment.

The Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, assured the youth that the government is working tirelessly to address the challenge of unemployment among them.