Kanungu Resident District Commissioner Ambrose Mwesigye Amanyire has encouraged the new District Youth leaders to avoid leading by influence from the local political actors but rather by the principles of good governance and informed decisions that benefit the young people.
RDC Mwesigye Amanyire made the remarks yesterday while officiating at the swearing in ceremony of the new District Youth Council which took place at the District Council Hall and was witnessed by the Principal Community Development Officer Ezra Ndizeye.
The RDC appreciated entire committee for using an advocacy approach for serving the young people and appreciated the outgoing chairperson for always embracing the consultative approach whenever he wanted guidance on anything.
He further requested the incoming committee to emulate these means and asked the new committee to keep in close touch and consultation with outgoing committee for continuity of service.
The RDC highlighted the challenges associated with Youth Livelihood Program funds recovery that were taken by some youth groups and whose members fled the Kanungu community and it has since become difficult to retrieve and recycle these funds for other youth groups to benefit.
On the issue of the fish project that was started with funds from State House, RDC Mwesigye Amanyire said that the fish feed mill machine is still non functional because talks and engagements are still underway with government to have a transformer installed which will help in production of feeds for both fingerlings and fish so that the project can be of benefit to more young people than it has benefited.
Those sworn into office include the Chairman Dr.Tumwakire Brian, the Vice Chairperson Kyamazima Laisah, the Secretary for Female Affairs, Kebirungi Hellen, the Secretary for Finance Mpirirwe Andrinna, the General Secretar Akatwijuka Donate, the Secretary for Labor Affairs Kyarimpa Ambrose, the Secretary for Sports and Culture Tumuramye Amon and the Secretary for Students Affairs Tumukunde Bosco.
In his acceptance speech, the incoming Chairperson Dr Tumwawkire said that he will implifying the youth voice through advocacy for policies that favor the young people such as tax exemption for young entrepreneurs who are trying out business options.
Dr Timwakire said that he is firmly aware of the responsibility entrusted to him as the Chairperson since August last year and the mandate was clear that demand for representation, accountability and real action.
He thanked the youth in Kanungu District for believing in him and his team saying that suct trust is not symbolic, but it is a responsibility they will carry with seriousness and determination.
Dr Tumwakire extended full appreciation the outgoing leadership leadership led by Believe Niwagaba for the service rendered as they awaited to be sworn into office and thanked them your service and foundation upon which they will build on.
He also thanked the District leadership and all technical officers for your roles and assured them that they have not come in as mere observers but partners in development of inclusion, consultationand action.
The new Chairman observed that Kanungu District is richly blessed, but the youth are still struggling yet the District sit on one of the world’s greatest tourism treasures—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park— but many of the youth remain unemployed.
He noted that tourism must not only benefit investors and visitors, but must become a tool of transformation in the lives of young people in Kanungu district and called increased youth involvement in tourism value chains.
He said that there should be skills development for tourism opportunities, policies that prioritize local youth employment and in agriculture which which is the backbone of Kanungu district, the youth should be supported to adopt practicing commercial because agriculture has the potential to be a powerful engine of wealth creation.
He noted that the Youth must move away from subsistence to commercial agriculture by getting supporting from the available land, inputs and modern skills and promoting value addition in coffee, tea, bananas, and other produce.
He noted thhat there is also need to link young farmers to regional markets and financing opportunities available in cross-border trade given Kanungu’s proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr Tumwakire also said that the Youth must be engaged in structured and legal trade, access to appropriate information, capital and protection fully benefit from regional markets.
The New Youth Chairperson made it categorically clear that the youth in Kanungu District are not asking for favors, but are demanding foropportunity, inclusion, visible results, accountability and ensuring transparency.
He said that his team will promote economic empowerment through advocacy for soft loans,access to youth livelihood funds and PDM funds so that our youth engage in business and commercial agriculture and get into the money economy and build unity against barriers of religion, geographical, and political affiliation.
He said that he will ensure that no youth is left behind, whether rural or urban, educated or uneducated and appealed to fellow youth leaders at all levels to rise to the responsibilities they have been given saying that leadership is not about titles but it is about impact.
Dr Tumwakire reminded the youth in Kanungu, that leadership belongs to them today not tomorrow and the trust placed in them is a contract which they shall honor with commitment, transparency and service.
He assured the district leaders and other partners in development that they are ready to work with them and request that youth issues remain a priority on the agenda and pledged to serve with integrity, boldness, and unwavering commitment throughout this term of service under the theme, “THE YOUTH LED AGENDA”.
