Teso youth leaders table demands ahead of Museveni visit
As President Yoweri Museveni prepares for his visit to Soroti on Monday for the International Youth Celebrations at Asuret Sub County, youth leaders from the Teso region are gearing up to present a list of urgent demands.
These demands address pressing issues impacting their communities and future prospects.
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The youth, hailing from various districts across the Teso region, have pinpointed several key areas of concern.
Among these is the rampant unemployment, limited access to education and skills training, and a dire state of infrastructure, including roads and healthcare facilities.
Additionally, they are advocating for better support for agriculture and entrepreneurship, and seeking solutions for environmental degradation and corruption.
Francis Orisa , the Spokesperson of Teso Youth, made a public statement at the Soroti City Council Hall, emphasizing the need for a meeting with President Museveni.
He highlighted the multifaceted challenges faced by the youth, noting the inadequate support for educational engagement despite the presence of many institutions in the region.
"The challenges confronting the youth of Teso are multifaceted, with one of the prominent issues being the educational hurdles. Despite the presence of numerous educational institutions in the region, adequate support for the youth to engage in these establishments is lacking,” Orisa stated.
He also pointed out the alarming number of skilled youth who are marginalized, stressing that corruption is a significant concern that needs to be addressed.
Orisa expressed doubts about the transparency of job allocations in the region, citing the recent appointments in the office of the president as an example of the disparity.
“The transparency regarding the allocation of jobs to individuals from Teso remains dubious. The recent appointments to the office of the president within our region have left us astounded," Orisa remarked.
Isaac Onyait, the Chairperson of Teso Youth, underscored the importance of President Museveni's visit as an opportunity for the youth to voice their concerns directly.
He recounted the youth's efforts to organize themselves and support the president, including a pledge of shs50 million from Vice President Jessica Alupo on behalf of Museveni.
However, complications arose in accessing these funds, causing frustration among the youth.
“Why are we, as the youth of Teso region, encountering stumbling blocks? Are we being blackmailed? Are we isolated within Uganda or beyond its borders?” Onyait questioned, emphasizing the need for direct engagement with the president.
He also noted that despite initiatives like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), many youth have been excluded from these programs.
Onyait urged President Museveni to consider their plight seriously during his visit, hoping for a productive dialogue without intermediaries.
As the president's visit approaches, the youth of Teso are hopeful that their concerns will be addressed, leading to tangible improvements in their livelihoods and the development of their region.
