The Youth in Uganda have been urged to remain at the Centre of championing the peace in the county, to promote tolerance and co-existence.
The Vice President Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, said the youth need to active champions of peace to ensure the unity and stability.
She said Uganda’s journey towards peace has been hard-fought, commending the leadership of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, that people are now enjoying the fruits of stability, unity, security and economic progress.
In her speech delivered by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, the Vice President noted that from the days of conflict and instability, Uganda has emerged as a beacon of peace, recognized globally for its peaceful transformation under President Yoweri Museveni.
This was during the inaugural Pathways to Peace at the Youth Convention on Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), youth, peace and security.
The ceremony was held on October 2, 2024 at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communication Technology in Nakawa, Kampala.
“This peace did not come by accident; it is the result of a deliberate commitment to tolerance, non-violence, and inclusive governance,” Alupo said.
“And today, we must ensure that the youth remain at the center of this peace process, not as passive beneficiaries but as active champions of peace, tolerance, and coexistence,” she added.
Alupo stressed that as the country prepares for the upcoming elections, it is crucial to remember that the youth hold the key to shaping Uganda’s future.
“They are not only the largest demographic but also the most dynamic, energetic, and innovative group in our society,” she added.
She said the role of youth in championing peace and fostering coexistence cannot be overstated and that the inaugural convention sets the stage for the youth to take up their rightful place as leaders and peace builders, shaping a future where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and where every Ugandan, regardless of background or belief, can coexist.
She observed that Africa, as a continent, is at a crossroads where the aspirations of its young people must be met with opportunities for growth, employment, and economic participation.
Alupo said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an unprecedented opportunity for Africa to unlock its economic potential, but for it to succeed, peace and security are paramount.
