Lira Youth Urged to Embrace Skills, Social Media for Economic Empowerment

What the report says

Youth leaders and officials in Lira City East Division used an International Youth Day event to encourage young people to build practical skills and use social media for business and self-employment. The gathering took place at Railway Seed Secondary School playground on Friday, August 14, 2026, and centered on the theme “Different Contexts, Same Aspirations,” according to Dokolo Post.

Moses Epila, the division youth councillor and a member of the Committee of Works and Technical Services, said the event gave young people a chance to discuss the challenges they face and consider possible solutions. He urged them to take part in development programmes rather than remain passive observers. Female Youth Councillor Oyela Vivian Mildred also told participants to treat social media as a tool for learning, networking, and promoting goods and services, not only for entertainment.

Tom Richard Okello, the Lira City Development Officer and chief guest, pressed youth leaders to keep organizing activities that bring young people together. He encouraged youth to work toward both personal and national development, develop multiple skills, and join organized groups to improve access to government funding initiatives such as youth livelihood programmes. His remarks reflected a broader concern in Uganda about youth unemployment and the need for entrepreneurship and skills development, though that wider context is general background rather than a direct claim from the report.