Young people in Uganda have been urged to adopt innovation and entrepreneurship as practical solutions to unemployment and a pathway to improving their livelihoods.
The call was made by Sarah Kintu during a youth symposium held in Kampala, where various income-generating opportunities were showcased.
Kintu emphasized that empowering youth with the right skills and mindset is key to addressing unemployment, particularly in rural communities.
“Young people need to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship if they are to overcome unemployment and improve their quality of life,” she said.
“We are creating platforms where they can learn, share ideas, and explore opportunities that can transform their futures.”
She highlighted the organization’s TeamUp Programme, a cross-sectoral initiative implemented in Mityana and Kasanda.
The programme integrates health, agriculture, water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to holistically support young people.
“The strength of the TeamUp Programme lies in collaboration. It brings together different organizations to deliver impactful and sustainable solutions for youth,” Kintu explained.
Through this initiative, Action for Health Uganda has reached over 90,000 young people, equipping them with skills in agribusiness and financial literacy aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods among both young women and men.
Some beneficiaries have already begun to see results, with ventures such as silage making emerging as viable income-generating activities.
One of the youth beneficiaries, Nsimbe Godfrey, said the skills acquired have enabled him to start earning a living.
“This programme has given us practical skills that we can use to support ourselves. Through silage making, I am now able to earn an income and improve my life,” he said.
Organizers say such interventions are critical in addressing high levels of youth unemployment by equipping young people with hands-on skills and creating sustainable economic opportunities, especially in rural areas.
Kintu reiterated that empowering youth is not only about addressing unemployment but also about building resilient communities.