Opposition is a heavy log to prosperity of Ugandans

By Ben Ssebuguzi

I was dismayed by Hon Robert Kyagulanyi’s remarks on Busoga One FM in Busoga where he asked people to rise against the NRM regime which is against the aspirations of the youths. The needs of Ugandan youths include employment, good health care, and social services among others.

I have often listened to the words of the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Hon Kyagulanyi but they are often a disservice. His preoccupation is always preaching chaos and civil disobedience which are totally disconnected from the aspirations of young people who form the majority of his support base. Calling for violence against an elected government is not only unconstitutional but also defeats logic because it depicts how some of our leaders are determined to use and dump young people for selfish reasons. 

In a bid to address some of the challenges of youth unemployment, the government passed the Technical Vocational and Training (TVET) policy 2019, to support the creation of needed employable skills and competencies relevant to the national labour market. But there seems no collective effort of leaders from the opposition to join hands to help the youths whom they often use as political tools.

It is disheartening to see leaders sowing seeds of discord and demobilising young people into unlawful activities which puts them on collision paths with authority. This has caused untold suffering to many parents and guardians of the victims when they end up in prison.

President Yoweri Museveni’s unwavering determination to meet the demands of the ever-growing community’s needs for relevant skills was realised by offering a competence-based curriculum focusing on hands-on training.

 Recently, the Presidential Skilling Hubs across the country under the State House have made very big headlines for revolutionising the President’s vision of skilling where Lango passed 240 graduates, Rwenzori Presidential hub last time passed out 1000 graduates and Masaka churned out 447 graduates of which contribute a significant step in positioning our manpower into the productive labour force. 

Skills like bricklaying, welding, fashion design, and motor mechanic among others should be at the hearts of leaders of the opposition and emphasised in their alternative budget reading where they should even ask the government to establish an industrial skilling hub in every district of Uganda so that we capture a large number of youths into productive sectors.

It is said that every subcounty must have vocational training, but how often have our leaders stood up to raise this matter of great importance to the Speaker? How many times have members of parliament stood up on the floor to commend the President for selflessly dedicating funds to the Office of the National Chairman of NRM which has empowered thousands of youth groups and women with start-up tools to empower them in wealth creation? 

As the opposition is sunk in politicking and focusing on the next election and inciting youths into violence, ONC and state house controller are busy rehabilitating and restoring hope to degree holders and those who were once conflicting with the law like the ghettos.ONC has given out farming tools like hoes, welding machines, sewing machines, and livestock among others which have made many young people become job creators and employers. 

In conclusion, I implore those members of parliament where ONC has made a great impact in their communities to use the floor of parliament to appreciate the Fountain of Honor General Yoweri Museveni who is also our National Chairman of NRM and our Manager Hajjat Uzeiye Namyalo for their fantastic job towards improvement in the welfare of the youths of Uganda.

It doesn’t matter whether you are in opposition or NRM because unemployment is a collective responsibility to mitigate. This will bolster their morale and moods to even multiply their efforts towards youth empowerment in the country. 

The writer is the Head of Research at Office of the National Chairman (ONC) – Kyambogo