The Observer - Museveni bothered by youth unemployment

"As President Museveni addressed rallies in Mukono, Wakiso and Kampala this week, one question kept cropping up - youth unemployment.

Most of the unemployed youth are in the central region, including many who have graduated from universities but still can’t find jobs. Others have left their rural homes in the hope of finding employment and a better life in Kampala.

But the reality is different, and the disgruntled youth have no one else to blame but the NRM government. Sam Ssesanga, attending Museveni’s rally in Entebbe municipality, reeks of alcohol at 4pm. His clothes are tattered and he wears sandals cut out of old tyres.

“We are poor because we don’t have jobs. Sometimes my friends give me their taxis to drive, but sometimes I spend a month without a job. It is so bad. I often don’t have money for food or rent,” says Ssesanga, a 24-year-old father of one and resident of Lugunju in Entebbe municipality.

Museveni admits that youth unemployment is a major contributor to the rising trend of civic unrest in African countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria.

He said African countries must address the problems hampering industrial development, the surest way to create jobs. Museveni cited electricity, transport, roads and railways.

“The ability of the economy to create jobs for the youth has not been as strong as it should be. Even the problems in Kenya during the last election, and Ivory Coast, I think, may trace their origin to that problem of not modernising the African economy fast enough to absorb the labour force,” Museveni said.

Since 1997, the government has offered free primary and O-level education and, from 2012 the government plans to provide fee A-level education. The government also sponsors some students in public universities.

President Museveni said employment lies in the creation of a good environment for investors, including peace, security and freedom; lowering the cost of production; and developing infrastructure in order to lower the cost of doing business.

The Observer - Museveni bothered by youth unemployment:
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