Kampala |The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party said Wednesday that it is well aware that most developing countries are experiencing what is known as the “youth bulge.”
The opposition party stated that the bulge highlights the challenges of the youth question.
The common effects that unfold along the way, according to the Akena-led party, include the presence of so many idle and unemployed young people in both urban and rural areas, as well as increased demand for scarce resources and land.
Arach Oyat Sharon, the party’s spokesperson, stated that land is a key factor in production but is becoming increasingly scarce, resulting in violent land conflicts.
“The recently released population census results allude that Uganda is experiencing a rapidly growing young population, which population continues to seek help from parents, relatives, guardians, or even friends in the wake of high levels of unemployment in the country and the struggling economy,” she said, adding, “This type of life is a recipe for desperation and danger for the society if not well managed.”
On June 27, 2024, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) released preliminary census results that show an increase of 11.3 million people. The overall population is 45,935,046 million, with 23,440,016 females and 22,495,030 males.
“However, the youthful population below 17 years stands at 50.5%, while youths between 18-30 years make up 22.7%,” Oyat said, referring to UBOS data.
This [preliminary data], she noted, immediately demands proper planning and a rapid response to our economic growth and development, which includes not only increased production of goods and services, but also ensuring quality education services and equitable access to opportunities for our young people.
“This will guarantee a firm foundation for the future of the ever-growing youthful population. UPC has been at the forefront of urging the government and her line Ministry of Education and Sports to improve the education system to be in position to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to the young generation so that it is able to fit and compete in the digitalized global market as opposed to producing half-baked products which are of less value.”
UPC believes that with the current educational ecosystem, most learners, their parents, and the country as a whole must rely heavily on vocational or technical training that provides practical skills and produces knowledgeable and competent workers such as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, technicians, and farmers, among others.
“This is one of the ways Uganda can produce job creators rather than job seekers, who are often victims of human trafficking. We also need to practically support our local manufacturers to be able to produce quality products that can be consumed in the global market.”
She noted that using local raw materials enables the country to generate jobs and enjoy benefits of backward and forward linkages.
“With the highly growing youthful population in Uganda, it is high time we came to the reality of family planning measures and advocate for them.”
At the same time, environmental protection measures such as afforestation and the cultivation of drought-resistant crops are critical for mitigating the effects of climate change, she said.
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