Youth development programmes in Uganda should be balanced not biased

The current demographics put Ugandans under 30 at a handsome 78% of the national population. Accordingly therefore and rightfully so, there is lots of talk and some action supposedly for the empowerment and transformation of the youth. Time will tell whether such actions in their current form will have significant impact on the performance of the national economy.

It is common in Uganda today for one to address themselves to the topic of harnessing the blessing of the high population of youth in the country amidst the problem of high unemployment. While the arguments are presented with admirable rhetoric to match the clout of the speakers, no convincing local data is provided to support the claims of being able to transform the economy through engaging youth in production and entrepreneurship. While I buy into the general principle of productive engagement, some proponents have taken it to unacceptable levels that border on empty deceptive words that could consequently plunge us into new depths.

In an attempt to strengthen their arguments, they unfortunately downplay the role of formal education. I find this unrealistic, unfair, selfish and unethical. Their presentations are derogatory to youth who have gone through or are pursuing formal education. The irony is that some of these personalities enjoy the comfort and privileges of offices and private businesses deservedly earned, albeit using credentials and competences largely built on the foundation of their formal education. And they are making great contributions to the development of this country. Why then do they condemn the foundational and enabling role of formal education in the empowerment or transformation of the youth they purport to argue for? It will not be surprising if it is found that such people are supporting their close relatives to pursue formal education in prestigious training institutions. They instead continue to peddle arguments to the effect that the currently struggling youth in the countryside – for reasons not of their making - should be supported and relegated exclusively to agricultural production enterprises moreover with little capital, rudimentary implements and on borrowed land. Some are encouraged to start micro enterprises in the countryside but these cannot earn them much to write home about especially with reference to living above the poverty line or better still creating and accumulating wealth that can in turn support their spouses and offspring to live decent lives. We are told that even in the cities where the market is broader, majority of such minute enterprises do not see their first birthday! Now pity the village youth!

While the youth development programmes are a good idea, they must be balanced with providing the youth the opportunity for quality formal education. The majority of today’s youth are capable of pursuing education to the highest level if given opportunity and this cannot make them less productive in the economy, neither can it be argued that this will necessarily take them away from engaging in agricultural production or other profitable entrepreneurial engagements. No rocket science is required to decipher the fact that nurturing a majority of poorly, if at all, educated population in this era is itself a recipe for disaster. Furthermore, it is erroneous to believe and persistently argue that every youth who goes through formal education ends up only as an unskilled job seeker who cannot create any employment opportunity. Moreover, those who do not create jobs or self-employment are still needed by the existing tax-compliant enterprises as productive employees.

I write this article not to downplay any youth development programmes but rather to highlight the need for proper balancing of the argument and action for the good of our country. I think the solution lies in supporting the youth to undertake quality formal education while mentoring them in productive, entrepreneurial ventures. None should be exclusive of the other and any model promoting such dichotomy and castigating formal education in the process will most likely not help Uganda. The youth development programmes and formal education system therefore need to be re-examined candidly with a view to making them synergistic.

For God and my Country.