OP-ED: We Are Leaders Of Tomorrow—But Tomorrow Is Now: The Youth Demand A New Uganda

By Herbert Kayongo

Diaspora Connect International (DCI)

Uganda today faces a crisis that cannot be ignored. Abductions, intimidation, and political repression have become tools to silence dissent, with the majority of victims being young people who dare to challenge the regime’s dictatorial tendencies. Corruption, nepotism, tribalism, impunity, and the breakdown of the rule of law have left our nation fractured and unstable. Peace at home is a dream for many, prompting a mass exodus of our youth into the diaspora, seeking safety, opportunity, and dignity.

At the heart of this crisis lies economic and social inequality. Most Ugandan families cannot afford two meals a day. Healthcare remains largely inaccessible, and quality education is reserved for the children of those with connections in government offices, leaving ordinary families struggling to enroll their children in the underfunded Universal Primary Schools. These schools, starved of resources and skilled teachers, produce results that are below average, pushing many children out of classrooms and onto the streets. A generation of young Ugandans is growing up without opportunity, unable to compete with the few privileged to access elite institutions.

This is not merely a failure of policy—it is a failure of leadership and governance. The systemic neglect of the majority, coupled with the abuse of power, has created a society where talent and ambition are stifled, dreams are curtailed, and the hope for a better Uganda seems increasingly distant. The status quo is unsustainable.

The New Uganda we need must be one where the youth—the largest demographic in our country—are protected, empowered, and given the chance to shape their destiny. It must be a nation where rule of law prevails, corruption is confronted, and merit, rather than connections or tribe, determines opportunity. Education must be equitable, healthcare accessible, and basic social services guaranteed. Peace and security should not be privileges reserved for the few but rights enjoyed by all citizens.

The call for reform is not abstract—it is urgent. The youth of Uganda, whether educated, skilled, or striving to survive, are rising to demand their place in shaping a nation that works for everyone. The New Uganda will not wait for tomorrow; it begins now, with collective action, courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and opportunity for all.

For God and My Country.