The Youths in Uganda have expressed disappointment in their leaders at both administrative and parliamentary levels, accusing them of failure to effectively voice their views and concerns for consideration.
In observation of Article 32 of the 1995 constitution which recommends affirmative action in favor of groups marginalized on the basis of gender and age, the government has since established a youth ministry as well as youth representatives in parliament.
Mr Ahmed Hadji the team leader of African Youth Development Link (AYDL) saysthe youth representativesat different levels look on as billions of shillingsevery day is carted away by foreign contractors and investors while young, intelligent and talented Ugandans are rendered jobless.
“If the legislature is regarded as the participatory hub of our democracy, it should not be tagged a ‘no go area’. Young people more than ever before are keenly interested in promoting issue-based youth campaign and engagement with legislature,” Mr Hadji notes.
Mr Kalinda Naafi of Kampala International University (KIU) also agrees with Mr Hadji, noting thatnone of the youth representatives has ever performed to the expectations of the marginalized groups other than their selfish party interests
“A youth Ministry that was created by NRM government has not solved their problems; their representation in parliament only contributes to already surging numbers in the parliament with less or no effect in the group they represent,” Ms Naafi notes.
The youth also attribute the failure by their leaders to represent them effectively in parliament, on the irregular electoral process that gives way to the selfish individuals to win elections.The youth MPs come from each region of Central, North, Western, eastern and National Female Member of Parliament