By George Bukenya
The Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs Balaamu Barugahara Ateeyi has warn youths to avoid engaging in violent activities as well as abusing leaders for they risk being arrested and jailed.
He condemned the misconduct of some youth especially those on opposition for putting on attires whose fashion is a reserve for security forces, such as red berets and conducting of Military drills.
“ Its okay for people to be trained in defensive drills similar to those of defence forces but this should only be conducted at Kyankwanzi government leadership training institute,’’ Balaam said.
He however criticized security forces for the brutal arrest of individuals who are suspected for committing the said crimes and explained why some of the ardent NUP supporters are arrested saying that there’s a varied reason and security operatives are not arresting the thousands but only 38 have been apprehended.
The Minister made the warning while addressing reporters at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Friday a head of the international Youth Day celebrations which will be held on September 19, 2025 at Masindi Golf Course. This Day is usually internationally commemorated on August 12 every year but government chose to post pond it citing president Museveni’s busy schedule yet he was supposed to officiate as chief guest.
This year’s Commemoration will be under the localized theme; Youth Advancing Social-Economic Transformation through Technology and Partnership, whereas the global theme was, “ Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnership’’.
Balaam said that the theme is commensurate with Uganda’s vision 2040 and the National Development Plan which puts the young people at the fulcrum of the country’s transformation agenda.
The 2024 population Census revealed that Uganda has a population of 45.9 million of whom 73.2% are young people below the age of 30 while between 15-24 (42.6%) years are not in employment nor engaged in training.
“ The Demographic characteristics are not just negative aspects per say but rather a country’s strategic advantage, with the right policies and investment, Uganda’s young population can be turned into the engine to drive economic growth and sustainable development,’’ Balaam asserted.
He however acknowledged the chronic challenges facing the youth in Uganda such as high unemployment, limited access to capital, low levels of school completion and regional economic imbalances like Karamoja lagging behind in terms of development.