Pakwach district boss lauds youth for demanding better services

PAKWACH – Pakwach district LCV chairperson, Robert Omito Steen has applauded the youth in the district for using activism to demand for better service delivery.

Omito said the youth are not a political threat to any government programmes but that their demand for better services is geared at transparency and accountability within government offices.

He made his remarks last Friday during the belated celebration of International Youth Day held at Bar Omach in Pakwach district where he criticised leaders who intimidate youth when they demand for better services.

“No threats, no intimidations to our youth who are demanding for good services through activism because it is the only way available for citizens to demand for better services,” he said.

Omito urged the government to use media and activists to echo corruption and poor service delivery, which he said has become the order of the day at all levels of government offices.

Robert Asiimwe, the Programme Manager Action Aid International Uganda [AAIU] urged the district leader to include the youth in budgeting and decision-making processes such that the youth feel they are part of the government system as it provides services to the citizens.

He added that in most cases, the youth pin their leaders for not being transparent in the allocation of funds.

“Our youths are the future leaders for tomorrow and they must be trained on their roles and responsibilities in demanding accountability through documenting their concerns,” Asiimwe said.

However, Asiimwe called on the youth in the district to work hard, saying that keeping blaming government and their leaders will not help them much.

One of the youth councillors in Pakwach district, Ivan Ocakacon said they have no platform to engage the sub-county leaders, adding that this has made the young people unable to fully participate in government programmes.

He said the youth should be engaged in monitoring government programmes like the Parish Development Model [PDM] since they form the majority of the population in Uganda.

“Subcounties implement youth activities without involving us. That is why we, the young people have decided to use activism to demand for our space in the district,” Ocakacon said.

https://thecooperator.news/alebtong-district-to-get-skills-centre-for-vulnerable-youth-and-women/

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