Ugandan youth rally behind anti-corruption drive

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Several young Ugandans say they have embraced the nation’s integrity movement, after being hailed by leaders as capable of restoring ethical governance.

During a dialogue summit at Kampala city-based Hotel Africana, over 100 youth activists and stakeholders, participants declared a collective mission to combat corruption affecting various sectors, including education, health and livelihood systems. The youth also demanded greater civic space to drive change.

“We believe the young generation has not yet been compromised or spoiled. They can bear the torch and lead the way in fighting corruption in this country,” Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU) executive director Marlon Agaba said.

According to Agaba, the youth’s demographic dominance, which represents Uganda’s largest population segment, is pivotal for grassroots transformation, urging both in-school and out-of-school youth to spearhead accountability efforts.

He added that ACCU is committed to arming young monitors with tools to track government-funded projects in schools and health centres, document graft, and directly engage leaders across ministries and local governments.

During the engagement, participants also strategised on constructive engagement, emphasising dialogue over confrontation and the necessity of official introduction letters to build credibility with information sources.

Participants were encouraged to pursue dialogue over confrontation and to carry proper introduction letters to build trust and credibility with sources of information.

Moreover, the young participants shared experiences and challenges affecting their civic participation while at the panel.

Muzira John Magezi of Bishop Senior Secondary School, Mukono, also ACCU Youth Initiative president, said many young people struggle with a lack of identity, which limits their involvement.

Terego district-based Opicaku Young Farmers Association chairperson Drasiku Vincent Ambaa reflected on the leadership and accountability skills gained through youth projects in ICT, agriculture, and school committees.

He lauded ACCU for the opportunity given to them to freely exercise their freedom of speech in the community.

ACCU programme manager Christine Byiringiro highlighted the ongoing strategies through the formation of clubs in schools in different districts. She said representatives will be able to communicate to come up with a common goal.

“We cannot work alone. We must co-ordinate as youth, women, and citizens to demand transparency and accountability,” she said.

The panellists also noted barriers to effective civic participation, including financial constraints, poor infrastructure, limited communication networks, security challenges, corruption, low motivation, overemphasis on money and lack of confidence in public expression.

For Namaganda Eva from Mukono district, she emphasised courage and respect as the foundations of integrity, highlighting the importance of standing firm against wrongdoing even when it is difficult.

Lydia Okuu, also from Mukono District, underscored self-reliance and personal responsibility as critical values for young civic actors. 

Chief guest Kakooza Savio Ntensibe, the IGG (Inspector General of Government) director of ombudsman affairs, represented IGG Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, clarified that the institution’s mandate extends beyond anti-corruption to safeguarding constitutional governance and the rule of law.