NEBBI, Uganda: Youth council leaders from Nebbi District and Nebbi Municipality have undergone training on local government budgeting and planning processes aimed at strengthening youth participation in decision-making and ensuring their priorities are reflected in district and sub-county budgets.
The training was organized by Sensitise Uganda in partnership with the Royal Danish Embassy and brought together youth representatives to enhance their understanding of local government planning and budget cycles.
Speaking during the training held at the Nebbi District Planning Unit on Monday, Sensitise Uganda Executive Director, Chrispin Mutehimbwa Kakuba, said the induction and orientation programme seeks to improve coordination between youth leaders and district stakeholders in planning and budgeting processes.
Kakuba noted that the initiative is designed to build the capacity of youth council leaders to effectively engage in local government planning and advocate for issues affecting young people.
“The induction and orientation programmes being implemented through Sensitise Uganda aim at building the capacity of youth council leaders from Nebbi District and Nebbi Municipality for improved participation in budget planning processes at district and sub-county levels,” Kakuba said.
“As Sensitise Uganda, this induction and orientation programme has brought together 20 youth representatives from Nebbi District and Municipality Youth Councils to drive decision-making processes in budget planning as youth leaders,” he added.
He expressed confidence that the training would amplify youth voices and promote meaningful participation in governance and development planning.
The Acting Community Development Officer for Nebbi District, Yerusa Ayirwoth, urged youth leaders to mobilize more young people to participate in government programmes that are intended to improve their livelihoods.
“As youth council leaders whose leadership mandate has been sharpened by Sensitise Uganda, this is the opportunity to use the youth platform to advocate for better service delivery for fellow youth,” Ayirwoth said.
Nebbi District Youth Council Chairperson, Rwothomio Francis, observed that youth participation in local government budgeting processes remains low due to limited commitment among some youth leaders.
He emphasized the need for youth representatives at all levels to mobilize their peers to actively participate in budget consultations and planning meetings to identify and advocate for issues affecting young people.
“There is a need to mobilize fellow youth members to always attend local government budget processes so that priority issues affecting them can be identified and advocated for at both local and national levels,” Francis said.
Nebbi Acting District Planner, Opiyo Boniface, commended youth leaders for taking part in the training and encouraged them to use their positions to influence decision-makers and advocate for government programmes that benefit young people.
“As district youth council leaders, I applaud you for closely following local government budget planning cycles and actively participating in planning and budgeting processes so that youth activities can be prioritized,” Opiyo said.
He challenged the youth to turn available opportunities and government interventions into tangible results that can improve social and economic transformation among young people in the district.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen youth participation in governance and ensure that young people play an active role in shaping development priorities within their communities.
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