Zombo, Uganda: Youths in the Greater Nebbi sub-region have been urged to abandon entitlement attitudes and embrace discipline, innovation, and entrepreneurship as pathways to transforming their future.
The call was made during the Ndikumulamwa Awaken 2026 symposium, a two-day campaign aimed at integrating young people into Uganda’s money economy. The event, organised in partnership with Hidden Treasure, was held at Alamundhera in Kaya Village, Paidha Town Council, Zombo District.
Delivering a keynote address, Dickson Ogwang Okul, an envoy at Uganda’s embassy in Sudan, challenged young people to adopt a mindset of purpose and resilience, drawing from his personal journey.
He likened the youth to hunters equipped with arrows, urging them to pursue their ambitions with determination and without fear of uncertainty.
Marketing professional Pamela Adong Idro encouraged participants to embrace creativity and innovation, describing “intellectual middlemen” as individuals who create value by connecting ideas, industries, and opportunities rather than starting from scratch.
Chief guest Laker Winfred, manager of Centenary Bank Paidha Branch, raised concern over rising teenage pregnancies and school dropout rates in the region, warning that these trends continue to fuel poverty cycles.
District data indicates that over 9,000 teenage pregnancies were recorded between 2021 and 2025, with at least five out of every 100 secondary school girls conceiving each term.
According to United Nations Population Fund, one in four girls aged 15–19 in Uganda has either had a child or is pregnant, with an estimated 31,566 teenage pregnancies recorded monthly in 2021.
Entrepreneur Idro Taban Junior, CEO of Idroz Street Food and the Ndikumulamwa campaign, urged youth to believe in their potential and turn ideas into viable businesses.
“Great things aren’t done by small minds,” he said, encouraging participants to act differently and pursue opportunities with confidence.
Hidden Treasure CEO Sam Uyirwoth emphasised the value of time and life as irreplaceable assets, urging youth to rise above limiting backgrounds such as poverty and failure.
He shared his personal story, noting that although his father dropped out of school after primary level, his passion for education led him to establish Paidha Model Primary School to serve future generations.
Participants, including students from Paidha Intensive Secondary School, Charity College, and Golden Gates Secondary School, described the symposium as impactful.
Student Barbra Achen highlighted positive self-affirmation as a key takeaway, while Ufoymungu Haward said the discussions had inspired him to focus on building meaningful networks.
Organisers said the Ndikumulamwa campaign aims to drive long-term mindset change among youth by promoting innovation, financial independence, and social transformation across the region.
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