YOUTH IN ADJUMANI URGED TO EMBRACE SKILLING AS A BUSINESS.

By Bazio Doreen.

The District Chairperson, Hon. Anyama Ben, has tasked the youth in Adjumani District to embrace skills as one of the ways of fighting unemployment and idleness. He also encouraged those still in school or with the interest of upgrading their studies to take advantage of the scholarship opportunities offered by the Office of the Woman Member of Parliament, Adjumani, and different NGOs.

Meanwhile, he was also particularly concerned about men from the host communities who were taking advantage of the vulnerability of refugee girls and women to marry them without dowry/bride price.

Hon. Anyama made the remarks at the district celebrations for International Youth Day held on 12th August 2024 in Ukusijioni Sub County under the theme: “Skills Development for Enhancement of Youth Opportunities”.

The Chief Guest, Hon. Ababiku Jesca, the Woman Member of Parliament, on her part, who gave out 33 sewing machines, observed that many times skilling also means discovering one’s talent and building on it and thus encouraged the youth to consider doing so. She also reminded the youth to take advantage of the services and courses being offered at the Olia Presidential Industrial Hub and Amelo Technical Institute. She also encouraged youth to desist from discriminating jobs because it not only motivates laziness but breeds poverty.

The Representative of the Chairperson, District Youth Council, also raised concern about the limited involvement of youth leaders at different levels in partners’ interventions as well as the lack of transport means for the District Youth Council to monitor projects and programs that target the youth with government’s Youth Livelihood program one of the worst performing as those who borrow money are reluctant to return it which hinders the idea of revolving fund. The Youth Council receives only shs 6 million every financial year which is inadequate to cater for all the challenges faced by the young people in Adjumani.

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in Africa. 1 – 17 year olds take 50.5% (23.1 million) of the total population according to the recently released National Housing and Population Census results. 18 – 30 years also account for 22.7% (10.4 million) of the population. West Nile region has 3.9 million youth.

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