Alan Kasujja, Lead Presenter at BBC News and Host of the Africa Daily Podcast, shares his insights on President Yoweri Museveni’s relationship with Uganda’s young people. Kasujja, who has extensively studied Museveni’s leadership, reveals a growing concern about the President’s understanding of the needs and aspirations of Uganda’s youth.
Kasujja acknowledges that his colleague, Andrew Mwenda, argues that Museveni deserves leniency due to the compromises he must make to keep the country stable. However, Kasujja disagrees with this view, emphasizing that his concern lies in the widening gap between the President and the younger generation.
According to Kasujja, young Ugandans are eager to contribute to the nation’s wealth but feel overlooked and disregarded. The President’s approach, which suggests that young people should either join the existing economic activities or step aside, does not resonate with them. Instead, Kasujja believes that the youth are more interested in creating their own wealth and feel that their potential is being ignored.
Kasujja argues that telling young people they are “playing with fire” misses the point. They are not intimidated by the threat of violence; rather, they are looking for opportunities and meaningful engagement.
“Young Ugandans are ready to innovate and monetize their ideas,” Kasujja notes. He advocates for supporting their creativity with grants and highlighting opportunities in fields such as software development, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Kasujja points out that leading tech figures like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos all started as software developers.
Kasujja is actively involved in helping young people from Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya collaborate on innovative projects. His involvement underscores his belief that the youth are already ahead in technological integration, surpassing political integration.
To bridge the gap, Kasujja calls for a shift in the substance and tone of discussions between the government and young people. Without meaningful engagement and support, the disconnect between Uganda’s leaders and its youth is likely to persist, with potential negative outcomes.
Key Points on Youth Engagement and Opportunities:
| Area of Focus | Description |
|---|---|
| Wealth Creation | Encourage innovative approaches beyond traditional sectors. |
| Support for Creativity | Provide grants and resources for young people’s projects. |
| Tech and Innovation | Highlight opportunities in software development, AI, and machine learning. |
| Youth Integration | Address the disconnect between political leaders and young people. |
