By Our Staff Reporter

Kampala, Uganda | September 19, 2026
The National Youth Cadres Association has launched its Strategic Plan for the Financial Year 2026/2027, outlining a range of initiatives aimed at increasing youth participation in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, supporting the Tenfold Growth Strategy and promoting environmental conservation.

The strategic plan was launched at Nakasero Primary School playground in Kampala during an event attended by youth cadres and other stakeholders, with Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilisation, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, serving as the chief guest.

Mr. Byaruhanga welcomed the initiative, saying the organisation of young people would strengthen their contribution to national development and enable them to participate more effectively in government programmes.

He assured the youth of continued government support for initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding opportunities for young people.

Byaruhanga also highlighted government interventions such as immunisation and Universal Primary Education (UPE), saying the programmes had contributed to improving access to essential services and education for Ugandans.

He challenged youth cadres to take an active role in fighting corruption, particularly in government schools, health facilities and other public institutions.

“Fighting corruption is part of the responsibility of a cadre,” Byaruhanga said.

He further encouraged young people to make use of government programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, to improve their livelihoods.

According to Byaruhanga, 30 percent of PDM funding is intended for the youth, but the uptake among young people remains below the targeted level.

He urged the youth to utilise the opportunities available to them and encouraged them to report challenges in accessing PDM funds through their leaders so that implementation gaps can be addressed.

The Senior Presidential Advisor also pledged government support to National Cadres SACCOs through the Microfinance Support Centre, particularly for SACCOs with genuine financing needs, viable expansion plans and good financial discipline.

Representing the Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Mr. Bamwine Mworozi, urged the youth to embrace cadreship while upholding integrity and accountability in their communities.

Mworozi said he became involved in cadreship in 1991 while at Makerere University, a period he described as one when young people faced difficulties in openly identifying with the role.

He said the growing involvement of young people in cadreship was encouraging and called upon them to reject corruption and actively support efforts to strengthen accountability in public service.

Mr. Ronald Tumuheirwe of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) commended youth groups for their contribution to environmental conservation and public awareness campaigns, including HIV prevention initiatives.

He encouraged young people to explore opportunities in public procurement, noting that procurements below Shs10 million are allocated to youth enterprises as part of efforts to increase youth participation in business.

Tumuheirwe said PPDA remains committed to supporting government entities seeking to expand opportunities for young people in public procurement.

Mr. Ahumuza Penkson, Chairperson of the National Youth Cadres Association, said the new strategic plan would provide a framework for strengthening youth participation in national development.

He said the association would promote environmental conservation activities, including tree planting, as part of its programmes.

The Kisoro District Youth Chairman, Mr. Hafashimana Asimwe, who represented the National Youth Council, urged young people to focus on issues that unite them rather than those that create divisions.

Meanwhile, Ms. Karungi Proscovia, Chairperson of Fairway Village, welcomed the youth cadres to Fairway and expressed support for initiatives aimed at empowering and bringing young people together.

National Cadres SACCO seeks to expand opportunitiesThe Chairperson of the National Cadres SACCO, Mr. Nahamya Emmanuel, said the SACCO was established to promote financial inclusion and help young people improve their livelihoods.

He said the SACCO has already undertaken income-generating activities, including cattle rearing and operating a retail shop in Kawempe.

However, Nahamya identified limited access to land and inadequate office space among the challenges affecting the organisation.

The launch of the 2026/2027 strategic plan brought together youth cadres and various stakeholders, with discussions centred on youth participation in government programmes, environmental conservation, accountability, financial inclusion and Uganda’s broader socio-economic transformation.