KAMPALA– Hon Peace Regis Mutuuzo, The State Minister for Gender and Culture has applauded the brains behind Power to you(th) initiative which has tackled some of the most pressing challenges facing our youth—child marriage, female genital mutilation, sexual and gender-based violence, and unintended pregnancies among various regions of the country.
While officiating the grand opening of the two day Regional Learning and Celebration Festival at Ndere Center in Kampala, Mutuuzo revealed that the years the achievements gained under Power to the youth program, are a clear
demonstration of what is possible when young people, the government, and civil society work hand in hand.
“Through this programme, we have seen the power of partnerships. We have seen evidence-based solutions deliver impact. And most importantly, we have seen young people step up as leaders, researchers, and advocates, proving that their energy, creativity, and innovation are central to our nation’s progress. This celebration aligns strongly with Uganda’s broader vision of creating a safe, inclusive, and enabling environment for all.” Revealed Mutuuzo
The Minister has also noted that, with the experience they have acquired through working with private partners, they will prioritize priority strengthening youth–adult partnerships to ensure that young people remain at the centre of implementation of government programmes through planning, designing programmes and delivery of service.
“Programmes like Power to Youth have demonstrated that government alone cannot end harmful practices—but together, through shared responsibility, we can sustain impact and scale change.”
Mr. Mondo Kuteeka, the Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs in Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development, on addressing the gathering, pointed out that Power to Youth programme is among those initiatives that have performed so well in providing effective solutions to most of the problems affected by adolescents.
“It’s now clear more than ever before that programs for younger people must be designed with full and meaningful participation of the young people themselves in order to have the best returns on investment the power to change the situation of young people in Africa lies with young people themselves, and nowhere else. In Uganda, because we believe in the power of the youth, we have cemented their participation at all levels of governance through constitutional, statutory, Policy and Strategic provisions.” Remarked Mondo
However, Mondo tasked Ugandans and all other Africans to produce children whom they can properly look after than producing kids who may become a problem to their countries tomorrow.
“It is annoying to note that, despite our interventions, unplanned pregnancy in Uganda still stands at 42% of all the pregnancies, Honorable Minister in this country. You may equally want to note that Africa as a continent, is in overdrive as far as population growth. Let me point out to you that in 1980 Africa had 478 million human beings, In 2015 the population of Africa rose to 1.2 billion people, on Wednesday 18th June, our preparation was registered to be 1.5 4 billion people.”
Mr. Jackson Chekweko Executive Director of Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) revealed that they came up with Power to You(th) programme with an aim of making them active architects of change than being passive beneficiaries. “Today, as we gather here, I am proud to say that this dream has become a reality”
“We have also walked this journey with the Government of Uganda—through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development—whose support and collaboration have been crucial in expanding access to services and creating an enabling environment for young people to thrive. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the generosity of our donors —Sonke Gender Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the solidarity of our global and regional partners.”
He further added that with young people in the center, many of the youth related problems can be solved. “As we close this chapter, let us recommit to the values which have brought us here , equality justice and courage. Let everyone, partners pledge to carry this movement forward. Let us always remember that Power to youth was not only a programme but a movement.”
The two day event attracted participants from various parts of Uganda, Burundi, South Africa, Cameroon, Tanzania, Kenya and other African countries.
This five year programme which is closing, was launched in 2021, being implemented in seven countries; Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, and Uganda with overall objective to contribute to more adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) from underserved communities to be meaningfully be involved in all decision-making regarding harmful practices, unintended practices and Sexual and gender Based Violence.
