By Kabuye Ronald
The United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU) has urged young people to take the lead in promoting sustainable development starting from the individual and household levels as the foundation for broader impact at the community, national, and global stages.
The call was made by UNAU Secretary General Baguma Tinkasimiire Richard during a meeting with youth leaders from Kampala’s divisions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and educational institutions. The meeting marked 80 years of the United Nations’ existence and 10 years of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation.
Baguma explained that the twin celebrations provided an opportunity to engage youth leaders who represent both the present and future—to discuss issues of peace, development, and poverty eradication.
“Our discussion focused on the fact that fighting poverty starts with self,” said Baguma. “As individuals, we must have the means, the mindset, and take deliberate actions to fight poverty. We need to understand our environment, identify opportunities and gaps, and invest ourselves intentionally and honestly in this fight. The effort must begin within our own pockets and extend to our households.”
He emphasized that addressing poverty at the personal and household level creates a ripple effect that influences local communities, institutions, and eventually national and global development.
“We must try to create income and wealth at the household level. When aggregated, this effort will impact our local areas, the institutions we belong to, and ultimately contribute to national and global progress,” he added.
Suzan Kayonde, Associate Partner and Africa Director for Do Well Do Good, also challenged the youth to turn their frustrations about societal challenges into opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Drawing from her experience in industrialization policy with the World Bank before joining Do Well Do Good, Kayonde urged young people to focus on creating change through enterprise rather than dependence.
“Change begins with us, and no one is going to help you,” she said. “Today, we are competing globally for jobs and leadership. Pursue excellence in all that you do. Let your work create a legacy, and avoid chasing quick wins, they often lead to trouble and modern-day slavery.”
Kayonde further cautioned youth against the illusion that life abroad is automatically better.
“Don’t let anyone convince you that your country is too bad to live in, pushing you to sell everything and travel illegally in search of a better life. That’s a lie. You’ll end up struggling despite your degrees,” she warned. “Stay here, work hard, and pursue opportunities globally, but do it legally and with the right information.”
