Owek. Robert Serwanga (centre) with youth leaders after the opening of the retreat.
The Buganda Kingdom organized a three-day retreat for youth leaders in Buganda, where they will be trained on fighting for transparency leadership.
The retreat, held in partnership with civil society organizations that promote transparency and accountable leadership, was spearheaded by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Youth Affairs. The youth were trained on ways to monitor and audit government programs, equipping them with the skills to ensure that services such as schools, hospitals, and roads reach the people as planned.
Launching the retreat, the Buganda Minister for Youth, Owek. Robert Serwanga, said Buganda has been left behind in many government services, with some never implemented as planned while others never delivered at all.
“We have gathered youth leaders in this three-day retreat to train them on how they can monitor government work and demand services in their areas, so they can highlight what has been done well and report what has not been done well,” Owek. Serwanga said.
He added that the Kingdom prioritizes young people in all its plans, which is why they are being trained to monitor services using reliable data and knowledge on different issues. He thanked the organizations that partnered with the Kingdom and called for similar initiatives across Uganda.
Owek. Serwanga Robert addressing the youth during the retreat.
The Deputy Auditor General, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, who was the chief trainer on the opening day, said the fight against corruption requires the active involvement of young people.
“This training can help liberate our country from corruption if the youth take the message to their villages and mobilize communities to join the fight. I call upon young people to report wrongdoing, monitor government services, and be exemplary by refusing to take or give bribes,” Dr. Achan said.
She reminded leaders in different positions that their primary responsibility is to serve the people, not enrich themselves in office. Dr. Achan expressed concern over statistics showing that nearly 10% of Uganda’s resources are lost to corruption every year, undermining progress in education, health, and other development sectors.
The Chairperson of Youth in Buganda, lawyer Derrick Kavuma, thanked the Ministry and partner organizations for championing the initiative, noting that youth must play a leading role in reforming the country. He pledged that youth leaders will put into practice what they have learned to contribute to national development.
On the first day, participants received training from officials of the Office of the Auditor General, the Office of the Accountant General, and other agencies, including the German development agency GIZ.
The retreat will close on Friday, August 22, 2025.