NORTHERN UGANDA IN PERSPECTIVE –DO THE YOUTH HAVE A BENEFITING ROLE TO PLAY IN THE AFFAIRS OF THEIR COUNTRY?

The marginalization of the youth in Northern Uganda is an outcome of the twenty year (24) insurgency. The after effects of war caused extreme depressions and trauma despite having a government in place through the years. As before, hardly do they feel inspired and enthusiastic of the current and upcoming national elections.

Having grown up in the war era the youth in the region are as good as unborn babies as they have to start late to relearn life and rediscover their potential for development in order to succeed in the current capitalistic economy –a pressure zone for transforming life. Unfortunately when politicians in the current regime and its followers talk about development, they do so to imply positive changes in Kampala.

With assurances of rigging national elections, the elections fever now applies to those fighting for political positions and, somewhat, other regions of the country that shrive on bribes. Indeed the fighting is in its true meaning, not a joke. Uganda has never had known democratic election, but only money-powered and coercion-powered systems of governance. Such conditions are not any better than those in 1980 that “forced” a few unhappy Ugandans to war. They are worse! And what does that make of the future of this country? Do the youth have a future?

Remember, it is about money control (as “effective” as a remote control) while reserving the use of force as a possible option for both the old and young. Moreover not every youth is marginalized –so the un-marginalized section will find no meaning in socioeconomic and sociopolitical struggles.

In any case, they will back their money-powered guardians against the economically deprived youth. On September 8th, 2010, at midnight, a youthful policeman guarding Makerere College stopped erected a check point –asking every pass-by for an identification document. He was not tolerating any excuses for lack of it by saying, “…sirimukintu: I did not go very far with studies.” Sirimukintu meant: not being part of the privileged members of the society.

These are people either in government or in the same bedroom with it. So even in government, there are a handful of people living in the strongest shell –where not any one can belong. That is the nature of society. But of course, not every one can live there but opportunities to getting there must be free and fair. For him, it was not about his job with government but personal issues –related to inequalities and youth ambition.

The verdict for the tango between the youth and the privileged ones will be left to fate. Youth united have a chance to reach set development goals –through proper organization and leadership. In recent times, ethics in them both (organization and leadership) is another. No wonder, behind every community problem, there is a question of leadership.

But leadership begins from individual level, negotiated, tested and endorsed at community stage. It is sad to note that so often the youth fall prey of money-powered politics, never with there be any element of rational decision-making on the basis of quality manifestos. Instead, they assume the nature of commodities for trade. It will be another story if they take the money –knowing it is public money and, then, vote objectively.

However, that is a national issue –though a concern to very few Ugandans –who walk the patriotic talk. Such will, as well, adversely affect opposition politics –more so in their dream of advancing to state house. Probably, this makes Olara Otunnu sane by declaring not to participate in the forthcoming national elections. But that defeats him –when money-powered politics is culturalized as the case today!

If that is case, for how long will Otunnu boycott Uganda elections –yet the youth would expect a lot from his manifesto –as well? The youth have always shown their power on very critical issues: in defense of cultural institutions, wellness, career development, and better governance.

With up about 55% of the Country's total population –according to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2010) –indicating seven million youth to be eligible to vote by the end of next year, 1.4 million of them voting for the first time in 2011, youth united can not fail in their endeavor to participate in the affairs of their country –and to receive a fair share of the national cake.

The report further indicates that majority youth (18-35) have either grown up or were born during President Yoweri Museveni's rule, so they will judge his government based on its record unlike the older voters who make comparisons with past governments. And how have the youth benefited in his rule? Most likely any achievement put forward will be invisible, unfelt, full weird statistics, own imaginations, or a result of individual youth hard work and sweat.

Still, though, with a lot of hard work and should be a functional principle for every youth –through asking questions like, “What have I done towards positively changing my life.” This is saner than waiting for the heavens to give answers. However, youth are not and should not be for whoever wishes to take advantage of them.

The reason why the same youth have gone to school is to be empowered with sufficient yet information about their country and, of course, as part of their education, they do research. Besides, the media and youth associated organizations pass on variety of information from which the youth can extract, assess and use to understand their country.

But this does not rule out irresponsibility on the part of some youth: its part of man failure universally to direct life to the good and reality of the future. For example; the July 11 terror attack in Uganda was conducted by the youth and the largest numbers of those killed were youth (over 80%) –a case of a youth killing a youth! That did not only question united youth ambitions, but also those of humanity. What a barbaric action!

Biologically, it was purposeless and meaningless. In fact, beasts are most intelligent, because they kill only to eat and survive. The July 11 attackers killed because of ideology packaged by the money-powered elders. Moreover, these (elders) were foreigners! If they had looked back to their traditions, they would have seen how hollow their lives at the time before the attack were. Well, after all, it is fantastic that the spirit and culture in Uganda is that of enjoying life peacefully –which dictates a better future for the youth in particular and country in general.

But with the share of unemployed being 83 percent in Uganda –the highest in the world according to the new Africa Development Indicators launched by the World Bank (2008), how pleasing would that be to the youth? Would that justify keeping the same standards of life –because someone must be in power for as long as he or she wants and continue with the status quo? It is only when the youth start identifying with their needs and achieving them in sustainable manner rather than with a piece of bread for a day from an elderly money-powered politician –will they ably answer such questions.

From such an understanding, a solid youth support can have a more bargaining power to register their presence in both policy books and financial statements. Now, here comes a chance when politicians dearly want a youth vote, lets use it. Also to note is that political positions are wide open for them to take. This period, therefore, would be appropriate for the youth to strike a bargain. The following would be the demands of the youth to the attention of government (s):

• Identify youth needs and assess critical issues that can be addressed now like; unemployment, poor employment policies (not monitoring the foreign firms to ensure a given quarter of local workers), inadequate and poor reproductive health facilities (especially in rural areas), corrupt public job recruitment system –and unequal regional consideration for development opportunities.

• Develop action plans and policies that are youth-involving, hold national wide conferences to consult and seek views of the youth guided by “funds-now” slogan. And, indeed, the preliminary first phases of funding must begin now; no politics (lies) in it.

• Explain to the youth why there are dysfunctional youth policies and their immediate resolve and structural changes to deal with them –wholesomely whilst ensuring youth involvement and potency of them (policies).

• Promote youth in leadership, human rights and democratic processes and, those with development aspirations or projects –through training, easy-for-all means to access development funds –and a tax-free period (of at least 10 years) in business.

Furthermore, having received government funds, the youth should work in allocated (by government and through agreements) institutions or corporations, or in small medium enterprises for a certain hours of the day free of charge. The same should apply to needy students.

In his words, Ndeebesa N (2010), a senior lecturer at Makerere University said, “While older voters tend to be more compromising and accommodating, with a lot of comparisons to make, the youth demand for democracy in its full form.” The youth need participation in development, influential yet independent say and tangible results. However, to achieve that, the youth wherever they are must sing the same song.


Peace and Conflict Studies Program
Makerere University
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala-Uganda
jwaiswa@arts.mak.ac.ug