By KT Reporter
Key issues, including the Palango land conflict, the operations of the Fisheries Protection Unit, rising youth unemployment, and poor road infrastructure, have topped the list of concerns raised by youths in Jonam Constituency ahead of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s campaign launch in the West Nile Sub-region.
President Museveni is scheduled to begin his campaign trail in the West Nile region this week, with planned stops in Pakwach District on July 7th, Nebbi on July 11th, and Zombo on July 13th, with additional stops in other districts to follow. Youths across Pakwach District have urged local leaders to brief the President on the critical challenges affecting young people in Jonam.
Ivan Lakisa, the Speaker of the 8th West Nile Youth Parliament and a resident of Pakwach Town Council, says many youths in Jonam have been rendered jobless following government restrictions on fishing activities on the River Nile, which had been the main source of livelihood for most young people.
Phillips Orombi from Panyimur Town Council called on the President to provide alternative employment opportunities for youths affected by the fishing restrictions. He also highlighted the poor state of roads, particularly the Panyimur Ferry–Wadlai road to Arua and the Parombo–DRC link road, which he said continue to hinder business and transport in the region.
Maria Giramiya, the Female Youth Councillor for Panyango Sub-county, appealed to the President to intervene in the long-standing Palango land conflict, which she said has contributed to food insecurity, school dropouts, and increased teenage pregnancies. She further urged the President to extend Youth Skilling Hubs across the West Nile region to help address unemployment challenges.
Mbabazi Jovia, the Female Youth Representative from Dei Sub-county, urged the President to respond to the ongoing teachers’ industrial action, saying the strikes disrupt learning and affect the quality of education.
Omito Robert Steen appealed to the President to address issues surrounding the Wadlai Irrigation Scheme, the establishment of a District Hospital, the elevation of Pakwach Town to municipal status, and the upgrading of Pakwach UCC to a degree-awarding university.
He also called for the creation of regional science and technology institutes and industrial parks in Northern Uganda to help curb youth unemployment.
This marks the second week of the presidential campaign trail, with candidates traversing different parts of the country. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM flag bearer, is the first to launch his campaign in the West Nile region, beginning in Pakwach District.
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