Youth from around Kampala have today morning held a dialogue on strengthening collaboration and inclusive participation of young people in legislative processes.
Norbert Mao, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, while addressing the young leaders at the meeting that was held at the Las Vegas Gardens Hotel in Bunga, challenged them to continuously add value to themselves as the first step to achieving their desired goal.
“By collaborating, you are creating a mass that is bigger, heavier, and faster. This means it has the force to create change and make a difference,” Mao said.
Benard Mujuni, the keynote speaker, highlighted that young people in Uganda have expressed distrust towards government elites who use youth issues to gain support and advance their interests while doing little to address legitimate concerns.
“Despite around 30% of MPs being under 35 years of age and having five youth-specific positions in Parliament, there aren’t enough youth representatives in the government, and their interests are not well understood,” Mujuni added.
The dialogue was part of the different activities happening around the country in celebration of International Youth Day, which is celebrated on August 12 worldwide.
The dialogue was organised by the Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy in partnership with the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs. The event was attended by members from the civil society, government, the private sector, and young people from the informal sector.
