Empowering Uganda’s Youth through Skills Development and Health Initiatives

While celebrating International Youth Day 2024 with the theme “Skills Development for Enhancement of Youth Opportunities”, we noted that it is increasingly becoming important, and a matter of urgency to adopt integrated strategies to facilitate the young people in Uganda to thrive. As youth transition to adult life and work, solutions for addressing skill development should integrate health aspects to catalyze the development process.

In H.E. Y.K Museveni’s blog “Delivering Education & Health”, the regime’s focus is now shifting to primary healthcare where the emphasis is on maintaining and improving reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health services among other priorities. Furthermore, the 2020 National Population Policy recognizes that through better health, education and employment opportunities, household saving, and investment will be stimulated.

With the second youngest population in the world, after Niger, Uganda's youth represent a powerful force for national economic and social development—if their potential is effectively harnessed through strategic investments. The national demographic dividend strategy proposes priority investments in education and skills development, healthcare – especially sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and enhancing an enabling economic environment to ensure this young population’s well-being and facilitate their contribution to productive labor that can drive national growth and development.

The government of Uganda through the different ministries and government structures at both national and sub-national levels is leading the delivery of various programs to enhance the wellbeing and productivity of young people in Uganda. Specifically, the government line ministries of Health, Gender Labor and Social Development, Education and Sports, Local Government, and Information and Technology are working collaboratively to trickle down these interventions to the young people across communities in Uganda.

Under the District Local Government’s decentralization status, the District Technical Planning Committee includes a subcommittee on adolescent health – the District Committee on Adolescent Health (DICAH). This subcommittee is responsible for leading and coordinating adolescent health activities throughout the district. They possess a keen understanding of the local context, challenges, and opportunities.

For example, in Budaka and Gomba, the DICAHs passed 13 by-laws and ordinances to curb early child marriages, a pertinent issue on the Ministry of Health ADH/SCH Division’s top priorities, and youth-friendly health services provision was accelerated in Mukono and Budaka districts. The advocacy work has gained budget allocation commitments in some districts’ financial year budgets towards family planning services like the Pallisa district FY2020/21 budget.

This is all commendable work, however, there remains so much to be done. The fifty-eight, so-far, operationalized DICAHs can ensure that adolescent health activities are included in district development plans and national programs like the Presidential Initiative for Skilling the Girl/Boy Child, and the Parish Development Model.

DICAHs can make a significant difference by focusing on the following areas;

1.????? Supporting sexuality education in schools to teach young people about their health in a way that is accessible, accurate and age-appropriate. This education can help reduce teenage pregnancies and help young people make informed decisions and stay in school.

2.????? Advocate for health services in public and private facilities that are responsive to youth needs; ensuring that health services are welcoming and respectful to young people to provide them with the care they need without fear of judgement.

3.????? Strengthening collaboration between local governments and partner civil society organizations to create programs that teach young people the skills they need for today’s labour market. This includes both technical skills and soft skills like tailoring, hairdressing, communication, financial literacy, information communication technology etc.

4. Spearhead meaningful participation of young people in decision-making processes with their local governments to ensure that their voices are heard and understood, and their needs are met. This would foster a sense of responsibility and belonging among the young in their different communities.

Young people and the DICAHs will need all the help they can get from the government and its partners. Case in point, partners of the Ministry of Health’s Adolescent and School Health Division can support these efforts by training local health workers and peer educators to deliver high-quality health services and education. Several other ministries can provide technical assistance spanning expertise and resources to help DICAHs develop effective and sustainable programs. Most importantly, government commitment through Ministries, Departments and Agencies to prioritize adolescent health and skills development in national and district plans will be crucial.

Therefore, as we celebrate this year’s International Youth Day, let’s commit to creating an environment where our young people cannot only survive but thrive. By investing in their health and skills development, we can unlock their potential and pave the way for a brighter future. The time to act is now. Youth should be empowered with the tools they need to succeed and ensure they are healthy, educated, and ready to contribute to our nation’s growth.

Written by: Bashir Kabuye, Sub-National Partnerships Coordinator – PSI Uganda.?