“Uganda’s youth want their voices heard”

 After spending their childhood being told what to do, Uganda’s youth now want to be heard, writes Munguongeyo Ivan, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala, Uganda. He argues that this need to be heard is now playing out in Uganda in the persistent political campaign of the young musician turned politician Bobi Wine.

While growing up, we leaned to resent being told what to do. If it wasn’t our parents, it was our teachers, if it was not our teachers then it was “ the society” reminding us that we weren’t old enough to make decisions for ourselves. We followed their rules until we were old enough to “know better.”This period of our development was very important because it helped us become responsible adults; but now that we’ve grown up, learnt and mastered what is expected of us, isn’t it time for those who have been telling us what to do to also listen to us ?

Young people in Uganda are very capable, educated and opinionated. They are continuously showing the state that they have the greatest stake in the leadership affairs of our country but they have been feeling that nobody’s listening to them.

I do not agree with some of the techniques being used by musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, otherwise called Bobi Wine, especially his lobbying for external support to topple the current regime, yet his persistence points to the sheer determination of young people in Uganda to prove that we’re worth listening to. There’s also a message for persons who believe that our voices aren’t worth hearing, that we can prove them wrong.

Many things have been said about Bobi Wine, especially after he won the Kyadondo East by-elections last year.The young politician was arrested and tortured after campaigning for Hon. Kassiano Wadri in Arua Municipality, and was later detained and charged with treason by the Gulu Chief Magistrates Court though the state later on dropped the charges against him. After unrest, strikes and pressure from different actors locally and internationally, he was released on bail and allowed to access specialized treatment in the USA. Despite all that has happened, Bobi Wine’s  persistence with his political campaign and his popularity among the youth show that Uganda’s young people are crying out for a listening ear.

When the youth feel they have no voice, no stake in their country and nothing to lose, the allure of extremists groups which offer a purpose and an outlet for anger and aggression will be evident. This dissatisfaction among the youth can be exploited by nefarious people hoping to bend young people towards their own selfish, opportunistic and sometimes violent cause and this will be dangerous for our country.

Since as young people, we are so important to our country’s future, we need to be heard, educated, guided, encouraged, advised,  and shown the way to go so that we can achieve our dreams and assume leadership positions in this country.The youth have to correct the mistakes and shortcomings of the previous leaders and completely change the outlook of this country. The youth have to do away with vices like corruption, unemployment, self centeredness and greed in leadership, so our citizens realize economic growth and development. It is the youths  who also have to maintain virtues demonstrated by other leaders,  and help the country to achieve her vision in future. Listen to the youths.

Photo credit: Bobbi Wine via Facebook
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About me: I am Munguongeyo Ivan, 25 from Kampala, Uganda. I am a graduate student at Makerere University. I am passionate about rural change and transformation, youth empowerment, gender equality and women empowerment.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/

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