The Manifesto Implementation Unit Director, Willis Bashaasha, has urged the youths in Kampala to seize the opportunities that the 2021-2026 manifesto presents so as to uplift their socio-economic wellbeing.
Bashaasha made the call while lecturing Kampala youth leaders at the Scouts International Camping Site in Kaazi, Busaabala.
The youth leaders drawn from the five divisions of Kampala district were attending a mindset changing programme organized by the Patriotism Corps Secretariat at the Office of the President in partnership with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
Bashaasha told the leaders that guided by the manifesto, the NRM government has designed very many programmes that present avenues for youth and general employment.
He however urged the youths to first tune their mindsets to optimism since it is the only way through which they can be able to objectively identify the available opportunities and then seize and exploit them to better their lives.
“Life is like a blank cheque of opportunities and so it is upon each of us to choose what we take up. Unfortunately, while some youths choose to be optimistic and choose rightly, others go with the bad or decide to accept to be misled,” Bashaasha said.
“It is always important to know that it is during the youthful stage that one has to open up their mind to every opportunity because by then there is time, energy and zeal to try out many things. So please avoid all the disruptive noises and remember that you have a patriotic duty to contribute to the general welfare of your country. This won’t be possible if you don’t first work on your mindset such that you discover how best you can use the available government structures to develop yourself first.”
He also urged the youth to put political beliefs aside and focus on exploiting the opportunities government has created.
“Right now, we have poverty-eradication programmes like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model which are tailored to help all Ugandans uplift their livelihoods. I therefore urge you as leaders to go back and mobilize our youths all over Kampala to come on board. I expect you to identify the abundant opportunities which our people can take up,” he said.
The workshop was attended by over 200 youth leaders who will form part of the nucleus group to entrench a positive mindset among the youth.
