Youth MP Rugumayo urges gov’t to “step up action” against unemployment

Western Uganda Youth Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Edson Rugumayo has urged the government of Uganda (executive) to step up action against unemployment and rescue skilled and unskilled young people that are currently suffering poverty because of lack of jobs.

This was at the launch of the National State of the Youth Report that was attended by among others the Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the Minister for Youth and Children’s Affairs Hon. Sarah Mateke and other youth MPs.

Rugumayo said that for the government to solve the unemployment crisis totally, the country needs to be creating atleast one million jobs per year. Although, he noted that he was aware that the target is nearly impossible.

He further called upon the government to put in place, a mechanism of updating the country on how many jobs are created monthly or daily and implored the Fourth Estate (Media) to put focus on judging every government decision against number of opportunities created or lost.

“The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) under which the youth are categorized must bring their act together, sit and zero down on one program from the many already conceptualised interventions under their Ministry. With good planning, we can create one million jobs every year for the next decade. It is the responsibility of government to ensure enough job opportunities are created.” Rugumayo said.

On operationalization of government projects and programs affecting youth, the youthful MP questioned why the government is launching an initiative to train youth across the country with out involving youth leaders and MPs to lead in mobilisation.

There has been growing disgruntlement by youth leaders at the National Youth Council (NYC) from districts across the country mainly because government programs that are supposed to impact young people are being implemented without the input of their leaders.

The government of Uganda is launching an initiative to train youth in skills across the country but youth leaders at all levels (NYC and Youth MPs) have told the media that they have not been involved or contacted to help/lead in mobilisation.

Rugumayo also called upon government to put more incentives in vocational education and appreciated them for prioritizing the PDM as a poverty eradication programme across the country. “However,” he noted “the quota for youth must be gazetted.”