By Eumu Emmanuel
Apac, Uganda – In a groundbreaking initiative, Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) Jonal Okot met with over 300 ghetto youth in Apac Municipality on Friday, March 7, 2025. The meeting aimed to address issues affecting these youth, including crime, drug abuse, and economic hardships, while providing them with opportunities to benefit from government empowerment initiatives.
Okot was accompanied by Alunga Tonny, Chairperson of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Temogo Parish, and Odongo Thomas, Chairperson of PDM Industrial Ward. Their presence underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring all youth, regardless of background, are included in the country’s development agenda.
During the engagement, Okot acknowledged concerns raised by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni regarding increasing youth involvement in crime. He emphasized the president’s directive for RDCs, RCCs, and their deputies to engage young people, curb criminality, and provide opportunities for positive transformation.
Okot noted that many youths lacked national identification cards, a critical requirement for accessing government support. Some had their IDs confiscated by loan officers and moneylenders due to unpaid debts. Okot vowed to assist those affected and urged them to visit his office for help retrieving their IDs.
To provide sustainable economic opportunities, Okot and PDM leaders encouraged the youth to form enterprise groups, making them eligible for funding under government poverty alleviation programs like PDM and the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP).
PDM Chairpersons Odongo Thomas and Alunga Tonny emphasized the importance of shifting from criminal activities to productive citizenship. They encouraged the youth to take advantage of available government programs to change their lives.
Innocent Okello, a former senior six student turned successful entrepreneur, shared his testimony, inspiring others to consider alternative livelihoods.
Okot called on the youth to abandon theft and embrace legal income-generating activities, highlighting the risks of imprisonment and ruined future prospects associated with criminal involvement.
The meeting concluded on a hopeful note, with the youth expressing gratitude for being recognized and included in government initiatives. Many pledged to abandon criminal activities and await promised support through PDM and other economic programs.
With continued engagement and commitment from local leaders, Apac’s ghetto youth now have a chance at a better future.