Unlike the rest of the world, which celebrates International Youth Day on August 12, in Uganda, International Youth Day was celebrated on August 18, 2023. Youths from Kamwanyi Zone Port Bell, in Luzira, Nakawa Division, celebrated the day with a Community Youth Parliament organised by different civil society organisations.
During the Community Youth Parliament, young people debated how effectively they could be part of the different government programs such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and others.
According to Ssekiwunga Joshua, the Luzira Parish Youth Chairperson, the Parish Development Model (PDM) is meant to get Ugandans and young people out of poverty.
“There are several opportunities for young people, and we as young people should be prepared. In Luzira parish, we specified enterprises to be included in the PDM, and this only works for already existing businesses and not start-ups,” Ssekiwunga said.
During the Community Youth Parliament, Ahumuza Rhonah, the Executive Director at Holistic Actions for Development and Empowerment (HADE), advised young people to look out for the different government programs and take advantage of the existing opportunities.
“I recommend the youth and community members to be part of the PDM, for it is one of the best tools to boost climate-smart urban agriculture at the grass root, especially in the ghetto communities where space is limited,” Ahumuza said.
The Community Youth Parliament focused more on informing community members, young and old, of their responsibilities as citizens to make their communities better.
Holistic Actions for Development and Empowerment organised the event in collaboration with the African Fibre Innovation Hub, Footmarks Initiative Uganda, the Child Space Foundation, and Anchors for Youth Africa.
The debate was attended by local leaders, members of civil society, Nakawa Division leaders, and members of the surrounding communities.