“My heart bleeds for the young people in this country when it comes to the business ventures that are initiated by them…. I am aware that we have investors in this country who are given an exemption from paying taxes, and when we look back at our young people, the country doesn’t have the young people at heart. While aware that Covid has hit businesses of young people more, the law doesn’t give us tax exemptions as young people,” said Judith Bako the leader of the section of youth from Arua City.
During a session in parliament when a motion was being presented, a group of the youth asked for an extension of the tax exemption on the businesses that the youth have as is being done to foreign investors in Uganda. A cry for support for innovation and startups and the unspecialized youth involvement in PDM was also sent out.
“I am also aware that in this country when a young person needs a job and applies for it, the first job description they demand from a fresh graduate from me is experience while aware that we all know that in this country, there is no University where young people can go and study experience,” Bako said.
Sam Okot Olaa, the speaker of the 6th National Youth Parliament beseeched the youths to use the platform to discuss ways of reducing the high unemployment rates not just among youths with education, but even youths who weren’t lucky enough to attain the education to enable them live dignified lives. He also asks the youths who managed to make it to the Youth Parliament not to just represent their own views, but also those of the other 78% of Uganda’s population.
The youths in their petition also asked Parliament to task the Ministry of Water and Environment to expedite the budget and development of revolution to climate change. “We are aware that the environment in this country has been tampered with, and the environment hasn’t been tampered with by the young people.”
Phiona Nyamutoro, National Female Youth Representative, asked youths not to hide behind the statement that youths are the majority in Uganda, while at the same time ignoring another group in this bracket who are the young children below 18 years, who may not have a similar platform to discuss their issues.
She says “When you stand and say 78% of the population are young people, 15% of that 78% are the youths, who are here today, the ones who are presumed to be 18-30years, the ones who can sit and analyze an issue, the ones who can stand up and speak for the evils in society, but that means that we are guilty of riding over a cohort that we aren’t fully representing. The children don’t have a budget, they can’t speak for themselves, they don’t analyze situations around them, and we are charged with that responsibility as youths of the country. The pace you set today determines the future of that child”.
The National Youth Parliament is institutionalized by the Parliament of Uganda to be a safe space for young people to raise their voices and for young people to be part of the legislative processes.
