“Youth Decide, Uganda” October 16, 2020

1. Preamble

Uganda’s democracy journey is marked with episodes of violence and political instability. Since the promulgation of its Constitution on October 8, 1995, Uganda has held five successive national elections (1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016) within the set Constitutional timeframes. However, since 2001, general elections in Uganda have ended in contestation and violence. There have been growing concerns about the government’s commitment towards a transparent and accountable electoral framework. The recent wave of state violence and harassment of the opposition continue to cast doubt on the appetite of the current government to hold credible free and fair elections in Uganda, as we head into the 2021 election.

Young People under the framework of the Platform for Youth Inclusion in Politics (PYIP)[1] gather here today to voice out the concerns of young people from across the country on the rising state-inspired election violence.

2. The unfortunate attack on the National Unity Platform (NUP)

On Wednesday, October 14, 2020, a military operation was conducted on the offices of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Kamwokya, Kampala, leaving many injured, property destroyed and some confiscated. Some of the affected items include CCTV cameras, party uniforms, nomination signatures for the Presidential candidate, among others.  A number of NUP members were arrested, while the security forces proceeded to the city centre and arrested innocent women and men that had been contracted to tailor clothing for the NUP party. All this happened while NUP was holding a meeting of their youth league, and preparing for the nomination of their Parliamentary candidates.  The Police Spokes-person later in the evening claimed that the operation was in relation to a security breach by NUP.  The National Unity Platform notes that they lost invaluable property which was taken by the security forces, including money and some property vandalized.

The ugly scene of the operation that resulted into chaos, skirmishes and disenfranchisement of the members of NUP created unnecessary excitement in the population and paints a negative image for a government that claims to have over the years worked to consolidate a democracy trajectory for Uganda. The incursion on NUP can be interpreted as an ill-political motive that is aimed at intimidating and disorganizing NUP election preparations one day to nominations for Members of Parliament and two weeks to nominations for presidential candidates. The action equally erodes voter confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2021 general elections. Such actions constitute a reversal on the democratic gains that Uganda has made over the years, and clearly constrain young people’s participation in a country with a predominantly young population like Uganda.

3. Call to Action:

Under national, regional, and international laws, Uganda is obligated to respect the right to freedom of association, assembly, and expression of all persons. Article 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995, guarantees protection of these freedoms—which include freedom of the press and other media, freedom of association which includes freedom to form and join political or civic organizations. The State is mandated under Article 20 (2) and Article 21(2) of the Constitution to promote and protect these rights and freedoms regardless of among others one’s political opinion. The growing attack on citizen organizing is a clear demonstration that the state has backtracked on this mandate.

We thus make the following calls:

1. To the Security Forces

• Adopt a dialogue approach in the interest of peaceful elections to seek out more civilised ways of contacting the leadership of any political party or actors even when acting on intelligence rather than using unnecessary force.
• Restrain your officers from the use of excessive force unnecessarily, and respect the dignity of Ugandans. The use of this kind of force undermines the spirit of the constitution, the Political Parties and Organizations Act, and other electoral laws.
• Immediately release all individuals in illegal detention over the unfortunate events at NUP, including the innocent tailors from downtown.

1. To the Electoral Commission

• The Electoral Commission needs to re-assume its mandate of managing all election-related activities. The EC, therefore, needs to reassure Ugandans that they are committed to providing a fair playing field for all Ugandans by condemning the actions of the security forces and continuously sensitizing the security forces on their roles and mandate in elections.
• Work with the security forces to return all the confiscated items including campaign materials, and investigate all errant officers involved in the raids.
• Discuss with stakeholders and harmonize the electoral rules of scientific campaigns and implement them with the fairness and universality that they deserve.

1. To Young People Across the country

• Denounce election violence by state and non-state actors, and desist from engaging in any acts of violence in the upcoming elections.
• We should all use our demographic strength to peacefully participate in the next elections and make our voice sound and count.

1. To the International Community

• Use all spaces available to you, including bilateral and international to add voice to the Ugandans that are yearning for peaceful free and fair elections.
• Denounce such state harassment and violence on innocent Ugandans that are peacefully exercising their right to political participation, and prevail upon the government of Uganda to respect the regional and international legal instruments on elections and rights and freedoms enshrined in our laws and constitution, as well as advocate for the repeal of draconian and anti-people laws.

1. Our Commitment

As representatives of young people in Uganda, we condemn in the strongest terms the continued abuse of rights by the state. We condemn the unfortunate events at the NUP offices of Wednesday 14^th October 2020 at the NUP offices, the continued harassment of dissenting politicians by the state and any form of election violence.

We will thus work with legal aid institutions to support the victims of election violence, and pursue a legal approach to ensuring election justice for all Ugandans, including using the Human Rights Enforcement Act to conduct private prosecutions of errant security officials involved in violence against Ugandans. We will also work through our framework to continuously document and expose all forms of election violence and the perpetrators.

-FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY-

[1] The Platform for Youth Inclusion in Politics (PYIP) comprises of organisations like; Faraja Africa Foundation, Action Aid Uganda, Open Space Centre/YCED, Advance Africa Foundation, Youth Coalition for Electoral Democracy, Uganda Youth Network/YCED, ACDEG Youth Chapter, You Lead Uganda Chapter, The Alternative Social Movement, Inter-Party Youth Platform (IYOP), Innovations for Democratic Engagement and Action (IDEA), Guild Presidents Association of Uganda, National Council of Debate Presidents, among others. One of the goals of the PYIP is to unify resources, voices, and opportunities for young people to engage in the electoral-democracy processes actively and effectively in the country. Other than being a unified voice, the platform is a source of civic education to the young people from the electro commission and government for effective and informed leadership.

 

 

The National Youth Parliament is an important political and legislative space and creative advocacy vehicle that brings together the National Youth Council (NYC), the Uganda National Students Association – (UNSA), Activista Network, You Lead Network, ACDEG Chapter, and young people from civil society organizations, the private sector, and cultural institutions among others. Since its start in 2018, it has been held around the UN International Youth Day as part of the commemoration engagements that play a pivotal role in amplifying youth voices to legislators. Uganda has been a key stakeholder in ensuring that the young people’s issues are included in the National legislative agenda; although, in the 9th and 10th parliaments, it has been quite challenging to ensure community participation in passing various bills into law especially those related with young people. The National Youth Parliament, therefore, is key as it strongly contributes to the participation of such excluded community members.

The 3^rd National Youth Parliament Sitting organized under the Platform for Youth Inclusion in Policy (PYIP) coordinated by Faraja Africa Foundation together with partners, the European Union, Democratic Governance Facility DGF and Parliament of Uganda, at Royal Suites Bugolobi on 14^th August 2020 under the theme “Youth Engagement for Global Action” in commemoration of the International Youth Day. It was a safe place for youth inclusion in decision making and brought together over 900 voices of young leaders, professionals, and people to the Parliament of Uganda right from the regional level to the national level: leaving no voice unheard.

The 2020 National Youth Parliament was all-inclusive, as it started from the regional level covering Western, Northern, WestNile, Rwenzori, and Eastern Region, all the way to the national level. For each region, 20 young people attended physically and over 50 online. The climax was the National Youth Parliament sitting which convened 30 young people from across the country physically at a half-day event while over 200 attended the session digitally via zoom conferencing. The proceedings were also broadcasted live on NTV and PYIP Partners’ Social Media platforms.

The event commenced with young people holding a scientific election to select the speaker of the 3^rd National Youth Parliament. The selection process saw two candidates; Hon. Abenawe Allan from the Western region and Hon. Olara Daniel from the Northern region, with Hon. Allan Abenawe emerging successful. The opening ceremony was graced by the State Minister for Youth Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, the European Union Head of Delegation Ambassador Attilio Pacifici And the Chairperson National Youth Council Hon. Lilian Aber.

The young honourable members debated on issues that are pertinent to young people in Uganda summarized in the order paper. Issues identified in the regional Youth Parliaments and consultative engagements/dialogues fed into the motions moved at the National Youth Parliament in Uganda and consequently, the East African Youth Parliament Sitting in November 2020. These motions included; Motion on matters of young people’s participation in the upcoming electoral process, Motion on the need for government interventions for young entrepreneurs and start-ups that have been affected by COVID 19 disruptions, Motion on matters relating to increased cases of sexual abuse against young people especially during the COVID19 lockdown, Motion on the fate of learners and students amidst the COVID19 pandemic. Notable in attendance was the outgoing 2019 Youth Parliament Speaker, Hon. Winnie Adur.

The chief guest, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, opened and commissioned the National Youth Parliament as a special sitting of the Ugandan Parliament.

“The past two National Youth Parliament have informed discussions on the floor of parliament that concern issues raised by you, like Sexual Offenses bill, the African Charter on Election democracy and good governance, among others.  Our commitment to ensuring that issues discussed here are discussed on floor parliament followed up and resolved still stands…we look forward to continuing our partnership with Faraja Africa Foundation with PYIP partners to ensure more meaningful engagement.” ~Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga- Speaker of the Uganda Parliament

 

The National Youth Parliament draws the attention of key decision-makers to issues apposite to young people’s livelihood, creates a safe space for young people and allows the aggregation of young voices to collectively push back against non-youth friendly reforms, across the country. Faraja Africa Foundation will continue to

In preparation to Uganda’s scientific elections as indicated in the roadmap launched on 16^th June by the Electoral Commission; a coalition of civil society entities, youth-led and youth-focused organizations, councils, political party youth leagues, academia and the informal sector have come together to form the Platform for Youth Inclusion in Politics (PYIP). It is formed as a special purpose vehicle to galvanize joint efforts and collaboration towards youth inclusion in politics. Several engagements under the PYIP are scheduled to take place Pre-During-Post 2021 general elections. 

PYIP is structured in three sections which include; a) Accountability whose main role is to ensure technical and financial support is available for PYIP to achieve its purpose, its led by civil society organization representatives which include; ActionAid Uganda (the current secretariat), Westminster Foundation for Democracy and Restless Development Uganda. The second section is b) Governance spearheaded by youth-led organizations including; Faraja Africa Foundation, Open Space Uganda, IDEA Uganda, Interparty Youth Platform and CEPA. Their main role is to execute the work PYIP is meant to do towards bringing to life its purpose. Lastly is the c) Network of organizations such as the National Youth Council, the Uganda National Students Association among other stakeholders. Whose main role is to work with the governance section in PYIP execution.

As PYIP, we seek to advocate for policies and inclusive legislative processes that will enable Uganda and the region at large to reap the fruits of the marginalized demography of young people. PYP’s work is hinged on five core actions that include; civic education, youth voter mobilization, candidate capacity building, facilitate platforms for engagement that support democracy and inclusion and more election-related interventions that ensure meaningful youth inclusion in political processes. PYIP was launched on the 23^rd July 2020 at Eureka hotel and hosted over 100 young people on zoom with a streaming audience on Facebook of over 400 young people in Uganda. It’s launched marked as its inauguration and beginning of its work, we believe with the collective effort we can unite the young people of Uganda and champion a free and fair environment for meaningful participation in political processes during and after the 2021 elections. 

Over 400,000 young people are released into the job market every year in Uganda according to the World Bank; the majority of whom live under the poverty line. This number is expected to increase by 1,000,000 youth in the next year but that hasn’t equated to the jobs available. This is the same plight most African countries are facing. Recently, we have seen most of the African states going into lockdown, with no businesses operating thus limiting young people and their family adequate access to basic needs. Mostly, we discovered how poor our saving culture has been.

Usually, it’s not the first thing on young people’s minds. We depend highly on a gig-economy hence as young people we practice hand-to-mouth. We enjoy ourselves with the little we earn and have absolutely no financial responsibilities. We have not been taught to seriously take the art and importance of saving at an early stage. Which explains the difficulty we are facing in this COVID19 lockdown driven financial crisis. It’s said, “…wealth collected in small quantities accumulate…” and also, its key to note that if you can’t save in the days of 1000 shillings, you will never save in the days of 1,000,000 shillings. Hence, its key to note that savings are important drivers of economic growth of one’s self.

As young people, we should make it point to build our saving culture by starting with the little we have. Because it’s from these savings that we are able to build capital for future investments if we intend to create a business. This intern will help us get the income and attain personal financial goals. There are three relationships we should cultivate when it comes to money and that is;

• How to make the money
• How to keep/save the money
• How to grow/invest the money

A successful livelihood and financial freedom depend on how you handle that above three. Having a good saving culture as a young entrepreneur is essential to helping you grow your money, invest in bigger deals and more. It also increases your capacity to make more money. Once you make it a habit you will not overspend on unnecessary things that do not need hence, helping you optimize your resources.

Savings means that as a young person you have a fallback plan, insurance (assurance of sustainability). That’s because just as wisdom is a defence, so is money. Building your financial literacy knowledge is key and reducing access to bank accounts will ease your journey in saving. This is the fastest way to fight poverty, unemployment and grow more youth businesses owners who also promote the country’s economic growth (social entrepreneurs).

Therefore, as young people it’s imperative we embrace saving as a lifestyle. For if we are to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goal in fighting poverty, we all have a role to play.  No matter how hard or difficult it may be, building a wall of savings will always help create a smooth and secure future. As Faraja Africa Foundation, we are committed to ensuring we facilitate the process of social engagement and economic empowerment of young people, but this begins with you, so save today. Remember, time is money, using it well is a form of saving and investment.

By Sharon Nantanda, Program Officer

The Social Entrepreneurs and Leaders Fellowship (SELF)

Faraja Africa Foundation

Faraja Africa Foundation in partnership with Restless Development, YOULead and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy; are hoping to capture short1-2 minute videos of young people like yourself sharing how COVID-19 has affected you (young people in East Africa). Please respond to the following question:

 

“What has been the biggest impact of COVID-19 on your life, and how have you been coping with it?” 

Send Videos via WhatsApp on: +256772472724

Guidance On Content of the Video

Keep the video personal; it makes for a more powerful message. As long as you feel comfortable doing so, speak specifically about your life – not that of young people generally and all in English. Here’re some tips on filming:

• Record yourself with your phone in landscape mode or using your computer camera, and position yourself in the middle of the frame and talk directly into the camera. (It would be nice if you can have the camera pointing up at you – because it makes people perceive you with more authority.)

• Be sure to leave enough headroom (i.e. a little bit of blank space above your head in the frame), and prop your phone up/position your laptop camera to frame you well and ensure the camera is stable. If filming with your phone, make sure your camera on your phone is on the top corner not the bottom (manually check this on your camera).

• Record yourself in a quiet location like at your desk
• Count to three seconds before you speak – and when you are done saying what you way to say, hold your gaze into the lens and count to three in your head before you press end the recording.
• Once you’ve recorded the first take, watch it back with headphones and check it looks and sounds good. If not – re, record it. (Remember it can’t be longer than 2 minutes 20 seconds or you can post it on twitter.)

NOTE: Will be using these videos in a couple different ways: on a COVID-specific page hosted on our and partners website or other platforms; on our socials as part of a social media campaign; in key quotations included in our report; and potentially, in policy discussions that we organise to talk about the findings from both this and our survey.

Send Videos via WhatsApp on: +256772472724

 Consent and Copyright

All participants who will submit material to the us will be consenting and acknowledging that the we and out partners (mentioned above) may use their pictures, videos and other content produced during this campaign for purposes above and work.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has globally affected our cultures, ways of social interactions, habits, but most importantly our economies. Many companies and organizations find themselves struggling to cope with the uncertainty in measures set to control the spread of the Corona Virus. As a result, most businesses are down, organizations are non-operational and even some individual self-employed entrepreneurs to seem to be affected. As Faraja Africa Foundation, we would like to say, you don’t need to shut down! We would like to share a few tips on what you could consider in reworking your digital strategy to fit the working home environment for a self-employed person, companies and organizations i.e. employers, employees and the Gig-economy freelancers;

1. Self-Discipline: The key first thing to accept is that you are going to face resistance from yourself, hence need for a mindset shift and adaptability to working from home if you are new to this. Set objectives and goals (in the form of tasks to finish) and ensure you have indicators in the form of result you need to accomplish. To comfort, you can also dress the part, cleanup go if need be as you prepare to work.
2. Time Management; The power of prioritization is a treasure in living an accomplished life. Map out what you are meant to accomplish inform of the to-do list and follow it to the dot, but if you skipped a deadline, go easy on yourself and make time to do. Remember to reward yourself after you have accomplished your to-do list with breaks.
3. Designating a Working Area; Work from your area of productivity comfort with fewer distractions. To some of us, this may mean a physical place, others it may be virtual etc. what matters is you limiting destructions as much as possible, from your mind, social media, environment, etc. Imagine the designated place as your office and only go there when you are going to fulfil your day’s work. Learn to build focus and concentration minimizing movements until your set break times.
4. Communicate with The People You Are Staying with Home: Inform your family members or housemates about your work schedule, designated place and need for their support in you attaining the respective set targets. If possible, ask for help to help simplify what you’re doing that’s if it’s in their capacity.
5. Set Reminders on Tasks and Appointments: Committing things on paper or writing. Don’t allow your mind to rest hence allowing it focus on other things. It could be meetings, deadlines, tasks to do etc. We will share on some of the resources you could use to achieve this. This needs to be done daily after setting out a monthly target with weekly objectives broken down to daily to-do lists.
6. Constant Communication with Workmates; Build a social support network with fellow workmates, effective communication through calls, online meetings, emails, video chats and Office WhatsApp group chats. They become accountability partners as you would be to them collectively supporting each other’s work will reduce the burden of having to struggle alone hence giving moral support.
7. Improvise and Use of Available Recourses both Offline/Online;

• Notebooks: Keeping this will best be used for scheduling, capturing your ideas, keeping a record of notes as reminders, plans, minutes etc. You can later choose to transfer your content.
• Phones: This can be used as your communication and coordination tool. If it’s a smartphone, then it can also be an extension of your virtual office especially with apps like; email, social media, MS word-excel, calendar for scheduling and reminders, zoom and skype for digital meetings, browser if you don’t have one, etc.
• Computers: If you have one, great! They can help simplify your work, knowing most of our work is about writing and creating content, computers usually have a larger surface to do your work from faster. However, observe best practices such as; charging, saving work done, don’t reduce it to being a tool of entertainment. Train your mind to respect it as a virtual office and tool to accomplish the work you seek to do. Movies, games and music, if necessary, avoid doing them on the computer.  Ensure you have updated windows or operating systems, turn off auto-updates to save data usage.
• Make Use of Online Platforms; If you have a smartphone or computer ensure to have accounts such as Skype, have your email app installed both on Gmail, Outlook and more, Zoom, MS etc.
• Coordination Tools: If you are working with a team, make use of G-Suite, comes with emails, google drive for backing up your work, calendar, spreadsheets, and more. One can also use Microsoft Office 360 for Non-profits if you are an organization, it costs less than $3-4 a month and you can have your organization purchase it to be shared with a larger group of people. That way you can coordinate through teams, work on a document in real-time for both of you and more.
• Use Cheaper Internet Bundles; The cost of internet has not gone down. However, most telecom services have created special work bundles that we can use. However, it’s key you learn how to sustain your data usage by keeping away from non-work-related or irrelevant things. internet is nebulous, hence it can be used for good, so can it be used for bad leading to addictions on social media, pornography and much more, so watch out.
• Heavy Content Sharing: If you are sending information, you may use WeTransfer and many more others. However, if you a working as an office team and what to share folders, then we encourage the use still of Google Drive, One Drive, and these can be accessed by the GSuite, iCloud or Microsoft 360. Both have a free and paid-for version, whatever works in your means, use it.

8. Digital Transactions; In as much, we have a lockdown, use of such platforms can help ease work. Things like Mobile Money, e-banking from banks and internet banking may be the new normal. If you have not subscribed for these services at your bank, you may need to do so fast. That way you can transact at the comfort of your home allowing your business to be operational.
9. Exercise and Entertainment; Before or After a long day of work take some time off to engage in physical activities or exercises to refresh your mind. Entertainment too is good just as building yourself spiritually and reading outside your daily work routine and does not cover beyond 30% of your productive time.

In conclusion, these are just tips, feel free to do more if you feel you can. Always remember to keep following the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of your country. We, however, are committed to supporting you in any way we can.

Share this blog to your networks. Stay Safe, Stay Home!

By Emmanuel Wabwire

Released on 2nd April 2020 

Even during these tough times of the global covid-19 pandemic, the youth have remained dynamic, productive, innovative and ever present. From the boda-bodas making deliveries of basic food items to young women vending in the markets, the power of youth has prevailed. 

Defending youth democratic rights and our fundamental freedoms can be challenging, let alone having to do it while under “lockdown” practicing social distancing in the midst of a global health crisis spreading rapidly across the world. In times like these, solidarity and social compassion play the most important role. 

Youth of Uganda together with other youth civil society organisations and informal youth movements want to respond to the fast moving emergency and arising needs across various locations affecting young people but also from the ongoing presidential directives and calling for the following: 

To the General Public 

● Stay home and keep the health measures as advised by the Government of Uganda and ministry of health 

● Avoid stigmatisation of people that have been tested positive for COVID-19. 

● Fight fake news online and promote accurate information or facts from experts and trusted sources. 

To the Government: 

This pandemic has been a demonstration that governments can act, and people can change their behaviour, in a very short amount of time. We appreciate the government efforts in fighting the pandemic and we request the government to further: 

● Review its prevention measures and how they affect the youth who live hand to mouth and make up more than 55% of the population well as the 65% Ugandan households in the informal sector. 

● Put into the Ugandan Context the presidential directives that are being made, how feasible they are to a Ugandan youth so that we avoid having death due to hunger and even increase in crime. A concrete policy direction from government on humanitarian assistance and economic recovery during and post COVID 19 is needed 

● Regulate powers of the officers including LDUs, Police and UPDF that is enforcing these laws so that they do not affect abuse the human rights of local citizens especially the young people. 

● Emphasis on Price levels for all the food being sold, and if possible in the next presidential address announce minimum prices for basics like salt, soap, posho and beans to avoid skyrocketing prices. 

● National water and Sewage Corporation and UMEME to provide water and electricity to all citizens and not charge clients during the months of the lockdown. 

● Government should revise taxes in wake of the COVID 19 pandemic and grant tax holidays to Small scale industries and tax incentives to banks and credit facilities so that they reduce interest rates. 

● Review the OTT tax so as to enable more young people to use social media to access information and work with telecom houses on reduce on rates for data. 

The current pandemic is unfolding upon unjust structures that have plagued us as a country for decades. There is a need to reinvest in the social infrastructure of the country in areas like public healthcare and social safety nets so that no one is left behind. 

Human Rights Based Approach To Fight The Pandemic: 

While we recognize the severity of the current health crisis and acknowledge that the use of emergency powers is allowed by the Uganda laws in response to the pandemic, we urgently request the government that any emergency responses to the coronavirus must be proportionate, necessary and non-discriminatory. 

Covid-19 outbreak should not be used as a basis to target particular groups or individuals. It should not function as a cover for repressive action under the guise of protecting health. STATEMENT ON COVID-19 ON THE YOUTH IN UGANDA 

We request the government of Uganda to remain steadfast in maintaining a human rights-based approach to regulating this pandemic, in order to facilitate the emergence of healthy societies with rule of law and human rights protections. 

To The Development Partners We Ask: 

● That you exercise flexibility and understanding as the COVID-19 outbreak will necessitate reprioritisation and adjustments in programming and outreach activities by organisations. At this moment, we need funders and supporters to work together to ensure that the youth sector stays strong and resilient as we deal with current and future crises and uncertainties, including in the social, political and economic sphere. 

To Civil Society Organisations: 

Let’s be mindful of the need to support each other with messages of hope, resilience and solidarity in dealing with the potential negative outcomes for social cohesion, trust and civic struggles. Now more than ever we need to put in place measures that reduce the impact of the pandemic on groups rendered especially vulnerable by inequality, discrimination, disability and the absence of social security measures. 

To all the Young People in Uganda: 

What if we now carried this awareness beyond the present emergency? This is an urgent question because there is a great global economic depression looming beyond our country Uganda. Potentially, it can lead to more wars, increased authoritarianism and yet greater economic injustice. Or it can empower us to demand a much-needed transformation of a system in crisis. 

The current crisis is not as catastrophic as a world war. But its effects will be far-reaching, and the risk of an economic and geopolitical and economic collapse is real. 

We can, however, emerge at the end of this tunnel with the first vestiges of a new world. It is imperative that we remain vigilant and act together, drawing effectively on our reserves of innovation and resilience. The opportunity is there for us to seize, and we must start work on it now. At the very least, we now know we have the power to do so. 

Signed by: 

1. Youth4Uganda 

2. Open Space Centre 

3. Youth Line Forum 

4. Centre For Policy Analysis (CEPA) 

5. Faraja Africa Foundation 

6. Marafiki Milele 

7. Innovations for Democratic Engagement and Action (IDEA) 

8. The Alternative Movement 

9. East Africa Youth Network, Uganda Chapter 

10. West Nile Youth Network 

11. Uganda Youth Senate 

12. Uganda Debate Arena 

13. Youth Advocacy Network (YADNET) 

14. Agency for Development of Young Farmers in Uganda (ADYOFU) 

15. YouLead Alumni Network, Uganda Chapter 

16. Youth Forum for Social Justice 

17. Visionary Lady Foundation 

18. Recreation for Development and Peace (RDP) Uganda 

19. Africa Youth Federation 

20. The Uganda Young Democrats 

21. Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs 

22. Global Platform Uganda. 

“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” ~Oprah Winfrey. Today we join the world in Celebrating the International Day of Education in light of last year’s International Youth Day theme: Transforming Education. As our organization, we believe in using creative advocacy to push for policy reformations and that’s through our YEPA Program; the National Youth Parliaments and the East African Youth Parliament. At the same time, know that everybody has a role to play in achieving quality education. As a follow-up from last year’s Youth Parliament resolutions, on 27^th December 2019, we under the support from Action Aid Uganda organized a regional dialogue in Eastern Uganda, Mbale under the theme: “Quality Public Education the Great Equalizer” hence Igniting National Debate on Addressing Inequalities in Uganda’s Education System hence Transforming Education as informed by Chapter XVIII of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (Educational objectives (I), (ii), and (iii).

 

As we speak, today the teacher-student ratio is 1-70 (and above) leaving no room for special attention to the learners. To make matters worse, there is less attention given to students with special needs. Due to less funding, schools can equally not afford to feed their students yet a child has to study for over 8 hours a day on an empty stomach, how effective would that study be? Increasingly, budgetary allocation goes to cover other sectors rendering education as a non-priority area. Did we also mention the poorly paid teachers? Who resorts to giving more time to more income-generating items that the teaching they are meant to do? This has been a back and forth debate leaving the underpaid with less and the already overly paid civil servants getting salary increments. Updating of the National Curriculum from bottom to top institutions of higher learning. One would say the current curriculum isn’t too relevant to the current social, economic and political needs of our society. It is too theoretical than practical hence knowledge gathered cannot be transformed into action for sustainable development.  We also advocate for the inclusion of mandatory extracurricular activities to help boost youth social fitting hence determining their mental and sexual health. There is a lot more to speak-out on and advocate for transformative change.

 

Therefore, basing on this background, it’s important to inform you, it’s not been all bad since 1997 when the Ugandan government introduced Universal Primary Education (UPE), it was widely heralded as a huge success in boosting enrolment figures and ensuring access to basic education for children in Uganda. However, the liberalization of the education sector in 1993 has since threatened the much-desired success of the UPE Program. Mindful of the basic civic right of all Ugandan citizen to participate in the affairs of government whether individually or through citizen’s organizations’; and aware of our desire to participate in peaceful activities to influence the policies of government through our organization as a way of contributing towards the well-being of the community where we live. Hence, we concluding by calling upon all stakeholders to join the struggle in advocating for a transformation of the education sector so as to achieve quality education.

 

Happy International Day of Education.