UN Resident Coordinator Remarks at Launch of Uganda National Coordination Mechanism for Youth Programmes

Salutations

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

The Chairperson of the National Youth Council

The UNFPA Representative

Government Officials

Civil Society representatives

Youth representatives

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the United Nations System in Uganda, I am delighted to participate in the Launch of “The National Coordination Mechanism for Youth Programmes" Uganda has the second youngest population in the world with 78% of the population under 30 years of age. This demographic structure presents challenges, but also great opportunities. This is why I welcome every step taken to provide a safe space for youth participation in national development. Today’s milestone comes as we begin the Decade of Action, declared by the UN Secretary-General as a critical opportunity for the whole of society to accelerate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together we must eradicate poverty, gender inequality, mitigate climate change and end discriminatory practices that lead to financing gaps for developing countries.

Why is the Mechanism important? The SDGs acknowledge the centrality of youth in presenting solutions to existing challenges and harnessing the vast opportunities in this beautiful and resource endowed Pearl of Africa! I am delighted to see that Uganda’s innovative and entrepreneurial youth are contributing to changing and saving lives. Young people have a role to play in achieving national aspirations. It is crucial for Government, Parliament, private sector and development partners to use every opportunity to ensure the participation of youth in development processes, social accountability mechanisms, innovation hubs, as well as strategies to ensure peace, security and access to justice. The National Youth Coordination Mechanism will find a robust and influential partner in the Youth Coalition for SDGs which is comprised of young Ugandan leaders of over 30 companies and NGOs, who are actively involved in the implementation of the SDGs in Uganda. They operate in partnership with the United Nations in Uganda and the National SDG Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister. The Coalition was created 2019 and since then, I have mentored members of this Coalition who have gone on to successfully be involved in key activities including consultations in the preparation of the UN Emergency Appeal for response to COVID-19 and its impacts in Uganda April 2020, preparation of the Voluntary National Review Report on Uganda’s progress towards the achievement of the SDGs  in 2020 and preparation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021 – 2025.

From my travel around the country, I have visited over 40 vocational institutions set up by the Government and other stakeholders to equip youth with skills, but most of these institutions are operating at 20% capacity or less. Therefore, youth in different parts of the country and the National Coordination Mechanism for Youth Programmes can bridge this information gap creating information hubs that facilitate access to programs, facilities and other initiatives in each of the 18 regions. I have also met many youth in different parts of the country with surplus production of agricultural commodities for which they have no market, and yet these commodities are being looked for in other parts of the country and within East AFrican countries. In addition to bridging the information gap, the National Coordination Mechanism for Youth Programmes should work with youth groups, associations and cooperatives to ensure they can add value to their produce, gain access to markets and begin the path towards inter-generational wealth. In addition, the National Coordination Mechanims can play a significant role in helping to mold a new generation of citizens by contributing to mindset change and civic education. A partnership with the National Initiative for Civic Education in Uganda would position this important mechanism as a conduit for information on the rights, roles and responsibilities of good citizenship informed by PanAfrican values known as Obuntubulamu in Uganda, which reflect the universal values and principles.

We are currently in the midst of a new wave of COVID-19 infections, so let me use this opportunity to call on everyone to please observe the preventive measures. This pandemic has had severe consequences for the most vulnerable members of society around the world. Our analysis projected severe consequences for women and youth involved in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises which account for approximately 90% of the entire private sector. The recovery from the negative impacts of COVID-19 depends on the availability and effectiveness of vaccines for all as well as the effectiveness of stimulus measures. The UN system is working with Government and private sector to address these challenges. We wish to thank all donors who have contributed to COVAX facility and to appeal to other partners to join our efforts to ensure the delivery of vaccines to all people in Uganda, Africa and the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

While the UN will sustain partnerships with all for Uganda’s development aspirations especially during these unprecedented times, allow me to point out a few opportunities we need to focus on going forward.

• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement which provides a huge opportunity for economic growth and socio-economic transformation by offering a market which we can contribute to and benefit from. The National Coordination Mechanism for Youth Programmes should enable youth to fully benefit from the opportunities created by the AfCFTA.
• Popularization of the SDGs: We should keep the SDGs alive in the national conscience by  inviting people to regularly identify SDGs solutions linked with day to day issues, and also strengthen localization of SDGs in Uganda by highlighting links to local values such as Obuntubulamu around people, prosperity, peace, planet and partnerships; Obwesimbu – integrity; Obwerufu  – transparency and honesty; Obumu  –  unity.
• Lastly, emerging technologies have become the way for youth to create jobs, to improve business practices, to promote efficiency and create opportunities. We count on the Government to enable the youth and private sector to unlock the potential of digital technologies to support Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

As I conclude, on behalf of the UN in Uganda, I would like to commend the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development for working in collaboration with UNFPA to develop a Coordination Framework for youth programming and engagement in Uganda that will help streamline coordination at district and national levels.

I reiterate our commitment to support National Coordination Mechanism for Youth Programmes through implementation of the of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Uganda 2021-2025 aligned to the NDP III, National Vision 2040 and 2030 Agenda, to achieve greater impact of our work for youth and ensure that we Leave No One Behind in Uganda.

Thank you.