As Uganda gears up for another transformative year, the spotlight is squarely on youth leadership and empowerment. With vibrant figures like Elizabeth (Elzabeth) Kakwanzi and Mercy Kanyesigye rising in political prominence, the narrative is clear: Uganda’s future hinges on its young leaders. This momentum comes at a crucial time, as the country aligns its policies, funding, and social programs to uplift its youthful population and tap into their boundless potential.
Parliament has witnessed an influx of dynamic youth representatives.
Phiona Nyamutoro, serving as the current National Female Youth MP and State Minister for Minerals
, has become a strong role model for young women in leadership Similarly, Agnes Kirabo, the Central Region Youth MP, broke gender barriers by defeating six male candidates in the 2021 elections g. Now, emerging voices like Mercy Kanyesigye and Elizabeth Kakwanzi are joining this wave, promising fresh perspectives and bold priorities for young Ugandans.
Mercy Kanyesigye
Elizabeth Kakwanzi
These young women aren’t merely token figures—they are active agents pushing youth inclusion into mainstream policymaking. Their presence—and potential election to higher roles—signals a generational shift where youth issues are no longer sidelined, but front and center.
At both national and local levels, Uganda has intensified investments in youth-centred programs that offer training, financial aid, and support services:
- Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) and Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) have injected over UGX 305 billion, benefiting more than 500,000 youth and women since inception. The impact is tangible: thousands of small businesses and community cooperatives have emerged from these funds.
- President Museveni’s Presidential Skilling Hubs, now established in regions like Bunyoro and Tooro, are equipping young Ugandans with vocational skills—from shoemaking and leatherwork to plumbing and mechanics. These initiatives aim to shift the economy from subsistence to skilled entrepreneurship.
- Through the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, parishes now receive UGX 100 million annually, enabling youth to group together and invest in local economic ventures like poultry, fish, and pig farming.
- At training institutes like URDT, rural youth are being skilled in trades ranging from tailoring to events management. Many graduates have started businesses employing others in their communities.
Ministerial voices reinforce this commitment. Betty Amongi, Minister of Gender, Labour & Social Development, emphasizes youth as “drivers and agents of change,” not merely beneficiaries of aid. Similarly, Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, Minister of Microfinance and SMEs, urges youth to view government funds as seed capital for long‑term businesses, not short‑term consumption
3. Tackling Youth Unemployment Through Skills and Enterprise
High youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge in Uganda, with over 75% of the population under 30. Authorities are prioritizing youth empowerment through skills and enterprise-focused models:
- Vocational skilling is seen as a linchpin. President Museveni and his wife, Education Minister Janet Museveni, have overseen the opening of skilling hubs in regions like Tooro and Bunyoro—training nearly a thousand students and facilitating the formation of SACCOs for startup capital.
- Advocacy groups are pushing the Youth Startup Bill, initially tabled by Youth MP Boniface Okot, which proposes tax relief, affordable financing, and streamlined bureaucracy for youth-run enterprises. The bill has gained traction, with advocates highlighting that despite startup funds, many businesses fail within a year due to high taxes and licensing fees.
Reddit insights reflect grassroots concerns:
“If someone gets Shs 1 million under PDM, they might spend 250,000 on an annual license… making it hard to sustain operations.”
And:
“Youth start businesses, but they do not even last a year.”
These voices reveal a critical pain point: funding must be paired with an enabling environment for real sustainability.
In a April 2025 debate, MPs called for youth representation in trade negotiations, aligning trade policy with youth-driven economic realities. Youth MPs like Boniface Okot emphasized that many trade deals overlook youth enterprises’ needs—such as market access and capital. Ensuring youth voices at the table is seen as essential to crafting inclusive policies.
Further, concerns were raised about fragmented youth programs across multiple ministries, with calls to streamline coordination and build accountability systems.
Youth engagement isn’t limited to economic agendas—it also includes political integrity and self-reliance. For instance, leaders from Buganda urged young people to reject exploitation and focus on community-driven growth.
In the coming year, with primary elections on the horizon, youth—and especially female youth MPs—will be tested in navigating Uganda’s complex political terrain. Reddit users anticipate turbulence:
“This year… the youth will be a blessing to the wise and a curse to the lame… be prepared to feel the heat” during primaries.
These dynamics showcase the urgency of equipping young leaders not just with economic support, but also political acumen and resilience.
Several converging factors explain Uganda’s renewed emphasis on youth ministers and development:
- Youthful population: Over half the population is under 18, making youth-led development essential.
- Economic recovery goals: Uganda’s Structural Reforms aim to reduce unemployment and bolster domestic industries.
- Political momentum: As primary contests loom, political parties foreground youth voices to stay relevant.
- Global commitments: SDGs and Agenda 2063 urge youth empowerment as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
- Policy innovation: Laws, funding reforms, and institutional coordination point to lasting youth integration.
Moving ahead, Uganda must address:
- High business costs: Licensing, taxes, and regulatory burdens have forced many startup ventures to fold.
- Program fragmentation: Multiple youth initiatives demand central coordination to avoid overlap.
- Supervision gaps: Monitoring and training—especially in rural areas—require increased support.
- Inclusivity: Refugees and other marginalized youth must be included in national frameworks .
If these challenges are met, initiatives like PDM, YLP, skilling hubs, the Startup Bill, and youth representation can collectively transform Uganda’s youth landscape.
As Uganda enters the coming year, the focus on youth leadership—through figures like Elizabeth Kakwanzi, Mercy Kanyesigye, Phiona Nyamutoro, and Agnes Kirabo—signals a genuine shift in political, economic, and social direction. This shift is powered by major investments in vocational and entrepreneurial programs, legal reforms, and more politically active youth leadership. But long-term success depends on making programs sustainable, reducing financial barriers, improving oversight, and ensuring all youth—even refugees—are included.
When youth are treated as drivers of change, not just beneficiaries, Uganda stands a strong chance at unleashing its demographic dividend and building a more prosperous, equitable future for all.
