The State Minister for Youth, Sarah Mateke, while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on August 16, 2023, said that the government is committed to Uganda’s youth, who can unlock a demographic dividend.
According to Mateke, the government firmly believes that Uganda’s’ youths can unlock the demographic dividend they hold by investing in their development, fostering their participation, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
Mateke said that the key priorities that aim to enhance youth productivity include boosting household income, agricultural commercialization, private sector support, infrastructure improvement, and strategic interventions in innovation and research.
She stated that with strategic allocations for sectors, the government is demonstrating its commitment to youth empowerment and economic growth.
“With strategic allocations for sectors such as agriculture, works and transport, tourism, and hospitality, ICT, and energy development, the government is demonstrating its commitment to youth empowerment and economic growth,” she said.
She added that the youth have demonstrated tremendous potential in their contributions towards the 2030 Agenda.
“Through various platforms like youth councils, youth representation in Parliament, and youth networks, they have voiced their concerns, taken action, and integrated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local initiatives,” Mateke added.
The 2030 Agenda envisions a secure world free of poverty and hunger, with full and productive employment, access to quality education and universal health coverage, the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, and an end to environmental degradation.