Members of Parliament want government to take serious steps to address the youth unemployment. The MPs say that the current interventions do not match up to the high level of youth unemployment.
The MP for Mbale Municipality, Jack Wamai Wamanga warns that youth unemployment is a time bomb ready to explode if not addressed. The MPs who acknowledged the interventions like the Youth Livelihood Program, YLP said there is need for government to inject more funds into such projects if majority of the youth are to benefit.
Hon. Annet Nyakecho, the Woman MP for Otuke, said that the rural youth have been left out because the available funds are insufficient. She also called on those in charge of the YLP to put emphasis on training youth on viable income generating activities. While the MP representing People with Disabilities in Eastern Uganda, Hellen Asamo called for affirmative action for Youth with Disabilities while selecting beneficiaries of the YLP and the students loan scheme.
The Woman MP for Ngora, Jacqueline Amongin challenged her colleagues to promote attitude change among the youth towards work. And Buyaga County MP, Barnabas Tinkasimire asked government to prepare young people to take on leadership. He challenged leaders who have over stayed in power to step down and give young people opportunities to take leadership of the country.
The MPs were reacting to the statement made by the youth MP for Central Region, Hon. Patrick Nakabale in commemoration of the International Youth Day that was celebrated yesterday in Katakwi district under the theme, “We are the Investment choices we make: Youth matter”. In his statement made on the floor of parliament, Hon. Nakabale asked the government to expedite the passing of the National Youth Policy by cabinet, approving the National Action Plan for Youth Employment and approve the National Action plan for youth.
The Shadow minister for Youth, Atiku Bernard said that the government is doing the youth injustice by not passing the policy. He further queried the criteria the government is using to export labour and yet there is no action plan on youth employment.
The Minister for Youth, Evelyn Anite in her submission gave an assurance that all the pending youth policies will be passed before the end of the year. She further informed the MPs that the Ministry of Gender is slated to present a proposal to increase funding for the National Youth Council and to amend the council’s statute to extend their term in office. She implored the MPs to support the proposals saying those changes are aimed at enhancing the performance of the National Youth Council.
The Minister for Defense, Crispus Kiyonga advised MPs to give messages of hope to youth to avoid youth from engaging in negative activities like drug and alcohol abuse, and violence. The minister said that the MPs should tell the youth that unemployment is a structural problem which needs specific programs and time to resolve. He noted that while the government has deliberate efforts to transform the youth, it is the responsibility of every MP to ensure that youth issues are addressed.
The Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah who extended debate on the statement from the stipulated 15 minutes according to the Parliament’s rules of procedure to close to an hour, acknowledged the importance of addressing youth issues.