International Youth Day: Entrepreneurship touted to end crime, unemployment

The call was made yesterday as Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day.

At the commemoration event held in Nsambya by Keddi Foundation, young people in Uganda were advised to get out of their comfort zones and not put all their hope in the Government.

Mr Stephen Keddi the President of the Keddi Foundation told the youngsters that only through entrepreneurship can the dreams of Ugandan youths be realized.

He noted that people like him started working on their aspirations at a young age and have now come thus far.

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“I am now in the waning stage of my youth; I am almost 39 years. But though my life I have endeavored to work very hard. This is why I am here now with this foundation and all the businesses I am doing,” he said.

If more and more youths engage in starting their own businesses, Mr. Keddi said, there will not only ease pressure on the job market but also reduce the crime rates in the country.

This government has provided us with the opportunity to be entrepreneurial. We are are not like other countries which have very restrictive policies on small businesses,” he said.

Charles Mutaasa Kafeero, the Keddi Foundation Coordinator rallied the Ugandan youths to steer clear of immoral practices such as homosexuality and sexual perversion, which, he said are rapidly being pushed by Western nations.

“Things like homosexuality are not being aggressively targeted onto youths like you. 

“Right now we are facing a challenge from the World Bank which froze funding to Uganda because we don't support those practices. But even if they cut all the aid and we remain with nothing, we shall resist their evil," he said.

On her part, Anne Kwagala the wife of Mr Keddi tipped the youths not to forget about their families.

“You have an opportunity as a youth not just to transform your life but also to fulfill the dreams that failed your parents,” she said.

Mr. Keddi revealed on the other hand that his foundation will be undertaking an initiative that will see youths from different parts of the county attain training in basic skills in fields like sewing, bricklaying doing pavers, hairstyling, welding, and other things.

He also committed to providing funds to ensure that the youth day celebrations and activities are held annually.