Mityana Residents Pin Hopes on New Village Chairpersons as Youth Unemployment Deepens

What the report says

Nile Post reports that residents and local leaders in Mityana District are calling on newly elected Local Council I chairpersons to take a stronger role in responding to youth unemployment. According to the report, community members say joblessness is worsening insecurity, family tensions, land-related conflicts and household hardship across the district. The article cites recent population figures for Mityana of about 407,386 people, with slightly more females than males.

Local leaders quoted by Nile Post said many unemployed young people are spending time in gambling or becoming vulnerable to theft and other crime. Barnabas Ssenabulya, the Buganda Kingdom chief for Ssabagabo Ssekanyonyi Sub-county, linked the lack of stable income to reduced productivity and family neglect. Residents urged village leaders to connect youth to government initiatives, work with development partners, support savings groups and help identify opportunities for work or enterprise.

The report also highlights labour migration as one option being discussed locally. Daniel Kasiliivu of Results Group Limited in Kiyudaya said lawful overseas employment could help some young Ugandans improve their livelihoods. Mityana Deputy RDC Prossy Mwanjuzi cautioned that those seeking work abroad should use licensed recruitment firms to reduce the risk of exploitation or fraud.

Nile Post further reported concerns from Busimbi Division Mayor Hajj Haruna Kibirige that some migrant workers later face land and property disputes, partly linked to poor documentation and misuse of village stamps. Village chairpersons interviewed pledged to protect migrant workers’ property and handle disputes fairly. The wider concern is that LC I leaders, while limited in resources, are often the first point of contact for community mobilisation, dispute resolution and access to local government programmes.