Koboko, Uganda | Uganda’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Nusura Tiperu, has urged stronger youth inclusion, clearer access to government programmes and tighter accountability at the grassroots, saying young people in border communities like Koboko must be placed at the centre of national development.
Addressing a meeting that brought together leaders of more than 25 ghetto youth groups from across Koboko Municipality, Ambassador Tiperu said frustrations expressed by young people pointed to gaps in communication and implementation rather than the absence of government support.
She noted that Koboko was a unique municipality located at the crossroads of Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and explained that youth in the area were actively engaged as loaders, traders, border workers and service providers supporting a vibrant cross-border economy.
According to Tiperu, what the youth required was clarity, organisation, and a clear pathway to access existing government interventions.
Participants, many operating in the informal sector at cell, ward and municipal levels, cited difficulties in accessing livelihood programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and other youth-focused initiatives, saying unclear procedures, weak sensitisation and limited follow-up had left many eligible groups uncertain or excluded.
Ambassador Tiperu emphasised that the concerns raised should be addressed through improved sensitisation and stronger local leadership rather than disengagement.
She stressed that government programmes are entitlements rather than favours and added that beneficiaries have a responsibility to organise themselves, follow established procedures, and demand accountability from political leaders and technical officers.
She further said that cases of corruption or mismanagement should be confronted directly.
She also highlighted the strategic importance of Koboko and the wider West Nile subregion, noting that peace and security had enabled cross-border trade and movement even as neighbouring countries continued to experience instability.
Tiperu observed that while nearby communities across the borders were affected by conflict, residents of Koboko continued to enjoy peace, which she said must be safeguarded and translated into economic opportunities for young people, who form the majority of the population.
Other leaders at the meeting echoed similar concerns, youth representatives acknowledged government investments in roads, health facilities and security but urged faster and more transparent delivery of livelihood support, as well as greater recognition of informal-sector youth as legitimate economic actors.
NRM officials present said the Parish Development Model was designed to reach citizens at the parish level but acknowledged that corruption and weak oversight in some areas had undermined its effectiveness.
They encouraged youth groups to engage local government structures, form stronger umbrella organisations, and actively monitor programme implementation.
The Resident District Commissioner and district leaders said the dialogue would inform follow-up engagements aimed at bridging communication gaps between ghetto youth groups and government offices.
For Ambassador Tiperu, the engagement was both a listening exercise and an opportunity to reassure the youth.
She said the strong turnout and active participation demonstrated that young people in Koboko were eager to be part of Uganda’s future and emphasised that leaders had a responsibility to ensure systems functioned fairly, transparently and without unnecessary delay.
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