Kampala, (UG):- The Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) Col. Edith Nakalema on Wednesday met and held a fruitful discussion with a section of Ugandan youth leaders on how they can fight corruption in the country through the right procedures.
During the meeting held at the Unit’s head offices in Kampala, the leaders led by National Youth Council Chairperson, Mr. Jacob Eyeru thanked Col. Nakalema for her strong fight against corruption.
Eyeru also requested Col Nakalema to engage the President on the issue of the youths who were arrested on 23rd July 2024 as they tried to march to Parliament in protest against corruption. “As the chief fighter of corruption, we request you to talk to the President to pardon them,” Mr. Eyeru said.
“The President has been at the forefront of the fight against corruption, even arresting some of his own,” he added.
The NYC boss also pledged the commitment and willingness of the youth leaders to work with President Yoweri Museveni and the government to deal with corruption in the right way. “We request for a platform where the President can engage the youths in the fight against corruption. We also agree with the narrative that yes to the fight against corruption and no to disruption of public peace,” he stressed.
On her part, Col. Nakalema informed the youth leaders that she appreciates the fact that everyone is disgusted by the rampant corruption in the country and it’s a responsibility of every Ugandan to fight it but in the right way.
“We should fight corruption but do it in the right way and not disrupt other people who are going about their businesses,” Nakalema cautioned. “I want you, the young people, to lead the fight against corruption. You still have this country in your hands and we are here to ensure that you can organise our country better,” she added.
Col. Nakalema further assured the youth leaders that the arrested protesters will be set free. “They will definitely come out of prison, but they should know that they should follow the law. They should listen to the guidance of the leaders. We want you to follow the right procedures.”
Nakalema, also former head of the State House Anti Corruption Unit (SHACU), said that the President has put up a number of measures to fight corruption such as the Electronic Investors Protection Portal that protects investors from falling into hands of wrong elements that ask for bribes and delay investments in the country.
She therefore rallied the youth to continue fighting corruption in the country but starting from where they are. “The fight against corruption is still on, it has not stopped. I request you to sit with your district youth leaders and agree on what you want the President to know. I will forward the concerns to him so that he can find ways of engaging you.”
What other youth leaders said
Mr. Gerald Baganzi, an official from Youth Advocacy Foundation-Uganda who has been vocal in calling for a structured dialogue, especially on issues affecting the young people told Col. Nakalema that the young people are advocating for good governance through the fight against corruption. “They are acting like watchdogs, they want to ensure that there is improved service delivery in the country.”
While Abbas Luyombo, a lawyer and Lecturer at Makerere University said the government should listen to the cries of the youths who are protesting against corruption and come up with end goals that have tangible results.
“We should find a middle ground to allow the people to express their anger without hurting anyone. The government should engage the youth and take action so that they feel that their voices are being heard,” said Luyombo.
Mr. Obbo Johnson Emmanuel also requested Col. Nakalema to help them meet the President to air out their views regarding the fight against corruption. “We are requesting that you schedule a day that we meet the President, and we dialogue on issues affecting the youths,” he said.
On the other hand, Mr. Mike Wadada, an official from the Youth Challenge for Change informed Col. Nakalema said as an advocacy group, they help youths get involved in the money economy and benefit from government poverty alleviation programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“We ensure that there’s proper allocation of PDM funds and that the youths benefit from the program. We work with focal people in the districts to create awareness among the youth regarding the PDM project,” he said, adding; “We also sensitise the youths to get involved in lucrative enterprises like commercial agriculture.”
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