The NRM youth ideological retreat, which has been underway in Kalungu district, began today, with participants being urged to unite for community development and wealth creation in their households. The 3-day retreat at St. Charles Lwanga, SS Kasasa, was organised by the NRM National Secretariat.
The NRM Spokesperson and Director of Communication, Hon. Emmanuel Dombo commended the youth for their high level of discipline and readiness to learn from the facilitators on the benefits of government projects and also generate income from agriculture.
Hon. Dombo said, “We have reminded the young of their responsibility to seek information and demand accountability from technocrats to ensure better service delivery.”
He also intimated youth were taught financial discipline, how to handle both personal resources and public resources and mindset change to improve themselves.
“The young people should not think that rich people are born rich. Wealth comes with consistency and hard work,” Mr. Dombo said.
The participants were also taught the history of Uganda, and its journey through turmoil to where it is now with relative peace and stability across all borders. “We are not here by accident but by the sacrifices of leaders who fought to ensure there is democracy and fundamental freedoms that we enjoy today,” Dombo said as he called on young people to preserve peace.
Dombo challenged the lucky youths who attained knowledge at the retreat to sensitise the local people in villages to create a mass impact on the production and development of their communities.
Seninde on wealth creation
The director of mobilisation at NRM and event organizer, Hon. Rosemary Seninde said the conference united all youth despite belonging to different political parties like NRM, DP, and NUP among others. “They all turned up and were very positive to what we taught them. We hope for better results as they return to their communities,” Seninde said.
“Our objectives as organisers have been achieved. In my view we wanted our youth to appreciate value-addition on knowledge for personal and community’s social economic development,” Seninde revealed.
She asked the youth not only to concentrate on politics for survival but also to appreciate other sources of livelihood like commercial agriculture. “It is the youth that has to work to pay taxes for the country to move forward. And with training and sensitization, the country will move forward.”
Youth leaders speak up;
The Lukaya Town Council, female youth councillor, Mary Nampebwa, thanked the NRM secretariat for organising the camp. “We have learnt a lot in this camp. I have learnt that I can start up a business for myself without waiting for support from the government.” She said.
“Secondly, I have learnt to love my country and always put it first. The organisers cared for us very well, they fed us, housed us and taught us to always behave well. I will go back and share what I have learnt here with my fellow youth who have not been here,” Nampebwa said.
Matsiko Arnold, the Youth chairperson of Kasijjagirwa Village, Masaka City said, “We have been able to meet different people, we have been taught by different facilitators and we are grateful.”
“We have learnt how to manage money to develop ourselves. We have been encouraged to embrace different government programs like the parish development model and youth livelihood programs to fight poverty and improve our household incomes. I encourage my fellow youth to get involved in the different government programs to improve our livelihood.” Matsiko said.
The closing ceremony of the 3-day youth leaders retreat, was graced by senior leaders that included, Hon Alimpa Kijaji, the NRM Electoral Commission deputy chairman, RDCs, and NRM district chairmen among others
