Empowering Ugandan Youth: UNAU Encourages Self-Reliance and Action

In a recently held youth-focused session on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU) challenged the country's youth to stand up and actively participate in shaping their future. Held in Kampala, the session aimed to inspire and educate young people about their role in sustainable development.

Richard Baguma Tinkasimire, Secretary General of UNAU, emphasized the need for youth to shun the culture of inaction and entitlement. "It's time for young people to recognize that their future is not solely the responsibility of others. As adults, they must understand that their lives are primarily in their own hands," Baguma asserted.

He encouraged youth to develop the courage and motivation necessary to tackle the challenges facing Uganda and find creative solutions, rather than waiting for external intervention. Asharaf Kakaire, a representative from Open Space Centre and a member of the core reference group on SDGs in Uganda, connected the recently launched Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) with the SDGs.

Kakaire stressed the importance of youth not only advocating for change but also monitoring and evaluating government investments in SDG-related areas. "Those who understand the SDGs should educate their peers. Youth mobilization and ownership of the SDGs are essential because these goals directly impact our communities," he said.

The session left participants feeling inspired and informed. Maria Nalumansi, one of the attendees, expressed her newfound understanding: "I've come to realize that the SDGs are intertwined with everything we do. Ignoring them would only harm us in the long run."

Another participant, Akot Maria, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to better understand both the SDGs and the NDP IV. "I now see the crucial role that youth and the government play in driving sustainable development," she said.

Source URL: https://trustednewsug.com/index.php/2025/07/08/no-more-waiting-unau-calls-on-ugandan-youth-to-embrace-responsibility/