Balaam urges youth on productivity

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Youth state minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has appealed to the youth in the Ankole area to engage in meaningful and productive activities.

Barugahare, who is also Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) national vice-chairperson (western), says this will not only help the youth to prosper but also address their challenges of unemployment and poverty.

Barugahara made the appeal while addressing thousands of youth from Kashari North Constituency who attended the launch of the National Youth Wakeup Call rally.

The programme aimed at mobilising the youth and empowering them with knowledge on how to uplift themselves from poverty was launched on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Rubindi town council playground in Kashari North constituency in Mbarara district, Ankole region.

“I’m in Ankole to commission a National wakeup call for the youth, the youth are sleeping, most of them are comfortable thinking government will put money in their pockets. The Government has sent money for youth empowerment; in my ministry, I also have a youth livelihood fund for them to borrow, I encourage them to embrace these programmes and develop themselves," he said.

The ceremony also attracted leaders and other stakeholders from different parts of Ankole and beyond. Barugahara discouraged youth from spending time on things that put their life at risk, like alcoholism, gambling and chasing quick money.

He also advised the youth to guard against early sexual behaviour that endangers their lives.

The minister delivered a donation of 10 sewing machines, 10 popcorn machines, and five bodabodas to be distributed to youth organised groups in the five sub-counties of Kashari North. He said the donation was from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, aiming at empowering them to start self-help projects and get out of poverty.

Bebe Cool entertaining youths at Rubindi Town Council Play ground in Kashari North Constituency-Mbarara district. He encouraged them to use the available resources start small and grow big. (Photo by Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

Support Museveni and NRM

The minister also rallied the youth in the area to rally behind President Yoweri Museveni and all NRM candidates in the coming 2026 general elections and support government programs.

“I’m here to tell you that the government has many programmes aimed at uplifting you to get out of poverty. I encourage you to embrace all government programmes like PDM,” he stated.

He also promised to support each parish in the constituency with two pairs of sports uniforms.

Kashari North Member of Parliament, Bazil Bataringaya Rwankwene, who organised the youth summit, advised the youth to use the prevailing advantage of land and invest in agriculture. He also discouraged them from being diverted by bad leaders, but only supported those who would deliver service to them.

Dr Sylvia Tumuheirwe Alinaitwe from National Water and Sewerage Corporation, encouraged the youth to develop a spirit of togetherness, unity and work hard and bring development at the individual level, family level and the country.

Mbarara district chairperson, Didas Tabaro, advised the youth to rally behind leaders who will deliver service to them and discouraged them from engaging in violence.

Swaib Igga, the chairperson LC1 Rubindi cell, thanked the NRM government for development programmes implemented in the area but called for more efforts to work on youth unemployment.

The event also featured popular musicians like Bebe Cool, Chameleon, Eddy Kenzo, Gravity Omutujju, Omega 256, Truth 256, Tindatiine, among others. Addressing the youth, Bebe Cool motivated them to start small and grow big, telling them that the big artists in the country all started their lives from scratch.

“I want to say that there is no good country in this world like Uganda. President Museveni brought peace to this country, all big artists, including Bebe Cool, Chameleon, Bob Wine, Eagles Production, have used this peace through our talents, and we have become rich people. I therefore challenge all the youths in this area and other parts of the country to exploit your talents and all the available resources, start small and grow and get rich,” he stated.