Janet Museveni lauds UNDP's role in UniPod youth initiative

During a meeting with key UNDP representatives and members of Makerere University Council, Museveni discussed the impactful UniPod initiative.

The meeting brought together Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General at UNDP, Elsie Attafuah, UNDP’s outgoing Resident Representative in Uganda, and Lorna Magara, the chairperson of Makerere University Council.

The central focus was the UniPod initiative, a joint venture between UNDP and Makerere University designed to nurture idea development and entrepreneurship.

UniPod, envisioned as a hub for innovation, is open to both university students and the general public. It aims to provide a nurturing environment for business ideas, especially those emerging from the informal sector. This initiative is seen as a vital link in fostering business ideas and encouraging entrepreneurship among Uganda's youth.

Museveni highlighted the enthusiasm among the youth for innovation but pointed out a tendency to replicate existing ideas rather than create solutions for societal issues.

"Meaningful innovation should not just be about replicating what is already out there. It should be about addressing fundamental societal challenges and generating sustainable income," Janet Museveni remarked.

She also noted a significant gap in young Africans' engagement with grassroots issues. Museveni emphasized the importance of university students understanding and addressing the challenges within their communities, using resources provided by initiatives like UniPod.

Expressing her appreciation for the UNDP's role in this partnership, Museveni said, "I appreciate the strong partnership between UNDP and Uganda, and I'm grateful for their support. The commitment of leaders like Ms. Eziakonwa and Ms. Attafuah to Africa and particularly to Uganda’s best interests is commendable."

Janet Museveni's remarks underscore the importance of the UniPod initiative in guiding Ugandan youth to focus on solving local problems. This approach is vital for ensuring their efforts are both relevant and impactful. The meeting concluded with a call for young people to take an active interest in grassroots challenges, fostering meaningful innovation and progress in line with the goals of both the Ugandan government and the UNDP.