By Kabuye Ronald
All is set for the life changing and empowerment Annual National Youth Festival, an extraordinary youth meeting between ordinary young people, elected representatives and key stakeholders where ideas around current youth issues across the social, economic and political divide in Uganda are shared. At the festival, young people (16 to 30) are able to freely interact and engage with politicians, diplomatic missions, academia, media, the private sector and civil society through customized debates, speeches, exhibitions and workshops.
This year’s edition which is the ninth of its kind, will be held from the 22nd to 23rd August, at Akamwesi Gardens along Gayaza road and will run under the theme Your Story Matters. The theme highlights the narratives of youths, showcasing their resilience and determination in overcoming adversity.
The festival which is organized by Open Space Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to the all-inclusive development of young individuals and other partners, since its founding in 2011, has attracted close to 3000 youth and 100 exhibitors every year with more than 50 high profile politicians and key stakeholders participating.
According to Ashraf Kakaire, the partnership and membership manager, The Centre Of Attention For The Youth Festival 2020-2025 is Meet “Suubi”: Suubi is an average young Ugandan who lives in Kawempe, one of the surburbs of Kampala.
“Suubi has completed senior six and has a daily income of 3000 UGX earned through handouts from Parents or friends or manual labor. Suubi does not pay rent and the basic needs of food, clothing And accommodation are covered by parents, relatives or friends. Suubi’s interests include music, Sports and movies. Suubi is sexually active and always hangs out with likeminded peers. Suubi’s aspirations is to live a good life in future, stay in a nice house and have a happy family.
The problem is that “Suubi” Is Living Below their Full Potential. No one understands Suubi; He stays in an environment that does not inspire her to discover herself. Suubi has limited access to life changing opportunities and doesn’t know how to take care of her body and health. Furthermore has no stable source of income and doesn’t know what she wants. In Addition Suubi is only interested in non-educational media content; not exposed to good leadership role models and uses the internet a lot but mostly for entertainment.
The effects of this problem is that Suubi is vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, exploitation, drugs and poverty; has low self-esteem yet they are constantly searching for opportunities. Suubi jump at get rich schemes and is a security threat – terrorism and crime. Above all the Nation is missing on his productive potential.
The vision statement of the Annual National Youth Festival is that: Suubi is fulfilling their dreams and aspirations. To achieve this big vision, the youth festival commits to the following long term outcomes/goals:
a) Keep Suubi alive and healthy
b) Expose Suubi to new ideas, professions, information, new cultures and environments.
c) Empower Suubi to express his dreams and aspirations
d) Suubi is contributing to the country’s Economy and Democracy Specifically and in the short term the festival will:
a) Convene a unique open platform that brings together youth and key stakeholders in their diversity to share ideas, debate and reflect on current youth issues across the social, economic and political divide in Uganda.
b) Identify and showcase examples of concrete alternatives of engaging youth to lead positive change in their own communities.
c) Inspire and strengthen youth leadership and cohesiveness as a majority segment of the country’s population.” Highlighted Kakaire
The Festival agenda covers a variety of critical subjects, including Agriculture, Sexual Reproductive Health, Leadership, Democracy and Governance, Innovations, and Careers and Opportunities. Through comprehensive discussions on these themes, the festival aims to equip attendees with valuable insights and skills crucial for personal and societal growth.
The two days festival will have six villages, 20 debates, 150+ exhibitors, 5000+ visitors, 50 speakers and artists
