KEY NOTE SPEECH AT UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY - MUKONO

By Bishop Zac Niringiye

Its undebatable that its the youth who can bring about meaningful transformation. There is urgent need to address critical challenges like unemployment, the quality of education and the collapsing health sector.

The rate of school drop outs; the reasons why rural schools do not perform so well to the extent of getting 6000 students failing to get grade 1; 39% of infants below five years being stunted and 20% of these infants have no hope; are all a manifestation of a failed governance.

If you critically analyse the factors of production and how they affect one another, that is: land, labour, capital, enterprenuership and time and the extent to which they interchangebly affect one another; its very clear that in the given circumstances, its not possible for the youth to be productive.

The hope for National Transformation in Uganda lies with the youth. Examples of the youth who have changed the course of events in Uganda include: the NRA whose change started with the young people - the 27 .

Just check who your role models are: Hon Odongo Otto, Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga, Hon Bidandi Ssali, Dr Olara Otunu, Tumussime Mutebile, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Winnie Byanyima, etc all started their work as student leaders.

Its the University students - the cream of youthfullness that has to be at the center for any transforamtional change. Its the special character of being a youth and its described as 3 Cs and these are:
 C = Convictions (beliefs)
 C=  Courage (those whose convictions give them courage are unstoppable)
 C=  Commitment (push until when change happens)

When I was a student in Lumumba Hall, we decided that we shall not go back to attend lectures until when Idi Amin was removed and this was the beggining of the downfall of Amin's regime.

There is a need for students loans to enable every student to be able to attain tertially education. Students in centers of Higher Learning should be able to engage with ideas  and ideas change the world. Universities are centers for searching for ideas.

Uganda is our country and we all have eqaul rights in this country; an equal stake in this country. This is our future- the future of our kids including the kids with the nodding disease. This is our choice - all of us. This is our action.

This is why students must demand for students' loans because its your choice and you have a choice to make what future you take. Therefore, Government must fulfill their promise of introducing students' loans. The students must go to Parliament and demand that they deliver the loan schemes- camp at Parliament until when its done.

"Our Country, Our Future, Our Choice, Our Action."

THE YOUTH MUST WALK THE TALK.