UPC calls for increased investment in sports

The Uganda People’s Congress(UPC) youth wing is advocating for greater investment in sports, recognising its potential to address unemployment and foster national pride.

The statement comes as Uganda prepares to join the global celebration of International Youth Day (IYD) on Monday, August 12, 2024, at Soroti Core PTC, Asuret Sub County, Soroti District in the Teso sub-region.

This year’s international theme for IYD is "Youth digital pathways for sustainable development," while the national theme is "Skills development for enhancement of youth opportunities."

Amidst global and regional youth unrest, including protests in Kenya, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, UPC's National Youth Leader Dan Isimbwa emphasized the need to address youth issues to prevent potential crises.

Isimbwa called on the government to invest more in sports, noting that it not only offers lucrative career opportunities but also helps alleviate youth unemployment.

“We want to remind the government that sports have not only become a lucrative career path but also raise the country’s profile on the global stage,” he stated.

He reaffirmed UPC's commitment to integrating youth into governance, in line with its constitution that promotes youth leadership.

According to Isimbwa, the recent Uganda Bureau of Statistics Census Report of 2024 underscores the urgency of the situation, revealing that 50.5% of the population are children aged 0-17, while 22.7% are young people between 18-30 years.

“The future of our young people depends on quality education combined with science and technology, which provides the necessary skills, knowledge, and equitable opportunities for success,” he said.

Isimbwa expressed concern over Uganda's current education system, citing inadequate resources at all levels, which he believes produce “half-baked products.”

He warned that the new education curriculum, designed to equip students with practical and scientific skills, is at risk of failing due to these resource constraints.

“The new education curriculum is on the brink of failure and might revert to the previous system,” Isimbwa said.

He highlighted the importance of early talent identification and nurturing, citing Uganda's Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei as an example of the potential within the country's youth.

Isimbwa also addressed recent youth-led protests in Uganda and neighboring Kenya, warning that ignoring the concerns of young people could lead to further unrest.

He called for the release of youths arrested during recent anti-corruption demonstrations in Uganda and urged the government to engage with their concerns.

“If the world continues to neglect youth issues, it will provoke them to assert their voices,” Isimbwa cautioned.