THE REPUBLIC OF

UGANDA

PRESS STATEMENT

PRESIDENTIAL SANCTIONING OF THE HOLDING OF THE 1ST AFRICAN

YOUTH FORUM 2010 ALONGSIDE THE HEADS OF STATE SUMMIT OF
JULY 2010

His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, The President of The Republic
of Uganda, at the request of UNICEF with full support by Uganda’s Ministry
responsible for Youth Affairs and that of Foreign Affairs, sanctioned the
holding of the 1st ever African Youth Forum alongside the AU Heads of State
and Government Summit July 2010- Kampala.

H.E the President’s approval was premised on inter-alia the philosophy and
doctrines of the NRM Government and the fact that the 7th ordinary session
of the conference of Heads of State and Government held on July 2nd 2006 in
Banjul the Gambia; adopted the African Youth Charter as the continental
framework, which underlines to the rights, duties and freedoms of Youth as it
does at the same time pave the way for the development of the National
Programmes and strategic plans for their empowerment.

The Government of the Republic of Uganda ratified the African Youth Charter
on 6th August 2008. Consequently, the Charter entered into force on August
8th 2009.

It is indeed clear from the Charter; Articles 11, 12, 26, and 28 that, one of
its key objectives is to ensure the constructive involvement of Youth in the
development agenda of Africa and their effective participation in the debates
and decision-making processes in the development of the continent. The
Charter sets a framework to enable policy makers to mainstream Youth
issues in all development policies and programmes. The Charter thus

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provides legal basis for ensuring Youth presence and participation in
Government Structures and Forums at National, Regional and Continental
levels.

In adopting the Charter, the Heads of State and Government (under the
preamble statements) were convinced that Africa’s greatest resource is its
youthful population and that through their active and full participation;
Africans can surmount the difficulties that lie ahead.

They also recognized that Youth are partners, assets and a prerequisite
for sustainable development and for the peace and prosperity of Africa with
a unique contribution to make to the present and to future development.

They at the same time considered the role Youth have played in the process
of Decolonization, the struggle against apartheid and more recently in its
efforts to encourage the development and to promote the democratic
processes on the African continent.

The Summit re-affirmed through the Charter that continuous Cultural

Development of Africa rests with its Youth and therefore requires their active
and enlightened participation as expounded in the Cultural Charter of Africa.

They in a similar manner acknowledged the call in Bamako (2005) by the

Youth organizations across Africa, to empower Youth by building their
capacity, leadership, responsibilities and providing access to information
such that they can take up their rightful place as active agents in decision-
making and governance.

It is also important to know that other continental and global instruments for
instance; the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child adopted by the General
Assembly of the United Nations on 20th November 1989; under Articles 12
and 13 do provide that a child has a right to express its views and the right
to be heard. The African Charter on the rights and welfare of the child does
domesticate the same position at the African Continental Level.

It is against the above solid background that it was deemed prudent to have
African leaders walk the talk. It is our conviction that engaging the Youth
through such fora will provide great insights into our development agenda.

Like Colonel Muammar Gaddaffi President of Libya did point out the other
day in March in Sirte Libya that, African people have heard lots of words
through speeches, and what they need now is not more words, but action.

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It is therefore important at this time in the history of our time, to remember
that we have made promises and commitments through the various global
and continental instruments - let us listen to them for the kingdom of God
belongs to them. It is indeed prudent that we live to our promises; let us
give them space for their voices to be heard.

22ND JUNE 2010, KAMPALA - UGANDA