KAMPALA — Government has launched the Youth Legislative Agenda 2026–2031, a policy framework intended to place young people at the centre of legislation, budgeting and national development over the next five years.
The agenda was launched on Monday by the State Minister for Youth, Dr Mercy Lakisa, who said it is designed to ensure that laws, government programmes and public spending respond more effectively to the needs and aspirations of Uganda's youth.
"I am honoured to officially launch the Youth Legislative Agenda 2026–2031. This is an important step in placing young people at the centre of Uganda's legislative priorities, skills development and job creation agenda," Lakisa said.
According to the minister, the agenda is aligned with the NRM Youth Manifesto 2026–2031 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and seeks to harness Uganda's youthful population as a driver of socio-economic transformation.
"Aligned with the NRM Youth Manifesto 2026–2031 and NDP IV, this agenda seeks to transform youth potential into meaningful opportunities and strengthen youth participation in Uganda's socio-economic transformation," she said.
The framework identifies several priority areas, including expanding access to vocational and digital skills, increasing financing for youth-led enterprises and agribusiness, strengthening youth representation in decision-making, and advancing legislation aimed at addressing youth unemployment and exploitation.
Lakisa said the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development will work with Parliament, the National Youth Council and development partners to ensure the agenda is translated into concrete programmes and legislative action.
"Together with my fellow Youth MPs, the National Youth Council and our partners, we remain committed to turning the Youth Action Plan into action and building an empowered, innovative generation," she said.
Youth leaders who attended the launch welcomed the initiative, saying a dedicated legislative agenda would provide a framework for tracking government commitments to young people over the next five years.
The Youth Legislative Agenda 2026–2031 is expected to guide parliamentary debates, committee work and budget advocacy to ensure youth-related issues receive greater attention across government sectors.
