As Uganda prepares for the reading of the 2026/27 national budget tomorrow, youth leaders have called on government to increase funding for programmes aimed at empowering young people.
They argue that they constitute the majority of the population and should be prioritised in national development planning.
The call was made by members of the National Youth Advocacy Platform (NYAP) during a meeting with newly elected Members of Parliament, where they presented a position paper outlining key issues affecting young people and proposals they want legislators to champion during their term of office.
The youth leaders said unemployment remains one of the most pressing challenges facing young people and urged government to reform the education system to place greater emphasis on practical and vocational skills that can generate employment, rather than producing graduates for a limited formal job market.
“We want to see more resources directed towards youth-focused programmes because young people constitute about 73 percent of Uganda’s population. The budget should reflect their needs and aspirations,” said Evelyn Zalwango.
Zalwango also called for a review of requirements for contesting political office, arguing that high nomination and campaign costs for positions such as Member of Parliament and President exclude many capable young leaders. She further noted that some government youth programmes have become overly politicised, discouraging participation among intended beneficiaries.
NYAP Chairperson Matte Jorcus said the upcoming budget should prioritise youth empowerment, noting that young people form the largest demographic group but remain among the most economically vulnerable.
“The government must prioritise youth empowerment in the 2026/27 budget because young people are the majority of the population, yet many continue to struggle with poverty and unemployment,” he said.
Lira City East MP Denis Omodi Alyela urged young people to take advantage of existing government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and other livelihood initiatives designed to improve household incomes.
He pledged to work with fellow legislators to address the concerns raised in the position paper and ensure youth issues are given adequate attention in Parliament.
Omodi also encouraged young people to actively participate in leadership and governance, saying they have an opportunity to influence decision-making processes and should use it to address challenges affecting their generation.
The engagement comes ahead of the 2026/27 national budget presentation, with youth groups across the country increasing calls for greater investment in job creation, skills development and inclusive governance.