Youth Urged to Push for Implementation of Free Education

President Yoweri Museveni has called upon the youth in Bugisu sub-region to become more engaged in demanding the complete implementation of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE). Speaking at the Bugisu Youth Symposium in Mbale City on Friday, the President said free education is critical for national development.

“You, the youth, must insist on the halting of charges in government schools,” Museveni said. “Wake everybody to implement UPE and USE. If the programs had been well implemented, we would have moved further by now.”

Museveni, who introduced free education in government schools in 1996 to help children from poor families attend school, regretted that local leaders, including PTAs, undermined the program by imposing fees. As a result, many children have dropped out of school.

Presidential Skilling Initiative Fills the Gap

In the face of the challenges facing UPE and USE, Museveni introduced the Presidential Skilling Initiative, which has been providing free skills training for youth in several areas of competence.

“This is an expensive move because we have to shelter and feed students from other faraway districts,” President Museveni said. “If UPE and USE were fully implemented, we would not incur these extra expenses. Students would walk to nearby schools as government concentrates on paying teachers, building classrooms and providing textbooks.”

President Urges Youth to Embrace Economic Opportunities

Museveni also urged youths to engage in income-generating activities in four major sectors, including commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT. He noted that the government initiative programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga are all weapons in the fight against poverty and improving livelihood.

“Ensure that such programs are not mismanaged,” he cautioned. “PDM is created to benefit ordinary Ugandans. I have also erased bank charges on these funds so beneficiaries receive their full share.

A Warning to Moneylenders

The President also warned moneylenders who take advantage of their clients by seizing their identity cards.

“Any lender who is holding an ID must return it immediately,” Museveni directed, “and failure to do so will lead to arrests and closure of business. My aim is to make exploitative money lending a thing of the past through such initiatives as PDM. With sustained funding, every parish could eventually act like a community bank, offering sustainable financial support.”

Youth Leaders Welcome Presidential Support

Hajjat Hadijah Uzeiye Namyalo, Head of the Office of the National Chairman-NRM, thanked Museveni for reaching out to the youths and fostering their development. She appealed for continued efforts at involving young people in the money economy.

Brian Mauso, who addressed the President on behalf of the Bugisu youth, thanked him for availing himself to them in person. He appreciated the President’s efforts in national development, among them UPE, USE, and the Presidential Skilling Program.

These initiatives have greatly contributed to human development through vital skills being imparted on our people,” Mauso said. “Programs such as immunization had reduced child mortality and increased the life expectancy of our population, while programs like the Presidential Skilling Program had given hope to various vulnerable youth, integrating them into the money economy.”

Looking Ahead

The Bugisu Youth Symposium, therefore, called for collaboration between the youth and government to realize socio-economic transformation. As Museveni remains committed to causes such as free education and economic empowerment, the youth of Bugisu and Uganda at large are encouraged to seize such opportunities for a brighter future.