Uganda is a young country. Walk through any village, trading centre, or city suburb and you will find children and young people everywhere—full of energy, ambition, and hope. Yet for many of these young people, especially those on the margins, life is becoming harder. Recent funding cuts to social and development programs are quietly reshaping their futures, and not for the better.
A Growing Population, Shrinking Support
Uganda’s population continues to grow rapidly, while resources meant to support that growth are shrinking. Schools are more crowded, health centres are stretched thin, and opportunities for young people are fewer than ever. For youth living in poverty, refugee settlements, informal urban areas, or remote rural communities, these pressures are felt every day.
When funding is reduced, it is often the programmes serving the most vulnerable that are affected first.
Health Services That Young People Can No Longer Reach
For many young people, especially girls and young women, access to sexual and reproductive health services has become more difficult. Outreach clinics have closed, youth-friendly corners are under-resourced, and information is harder to come by. The result is more unintended pregnancies, more school dropouts, and greater health risks for young mothers.
These are not just health issues; they shape a young person’s entire life trajectory.
Fewer Jobs, Fewer Chances
Each year, hundreds of thousands of young Ugandans enter the labour market. Very few find stable employment. Funding cuts to vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and youth livelihood programmes mean fewer chances to gain skills or start small businesses.
For marginalized youth, this often leads to frustration, dependence, and survival in the informal economy. Many are willing to work, to learn, and to contribute—but the doors are increasingly closed.
Education Gaps That Keep Widening
Education remains a lifeline, yet it is one of the sectors most affected by limited funding. Overcrowded classrooms, lack of materials, and reduced support for vocational and alternative education leave many young people behind. Those with disabilities, refugees, and youth from poor households are especially affected.
Without practical skills and quality learning, young people are pushed further away from meaningful employment.
The Silent Struggle of Mental Health
The pressure of unemployment, poverty, and uncertainty takes a heavy toll. Mental health challenges among young people are rising, but support services remain scarce. Counseling programs and community support initiatives are often underfunded or nonexistent.
Many young people suffer in silence, unsure where to turn or how to ask for help.
Girls and Young Women Carry the Heaviest Burden
Funding cuts often hit programmes supporting girls and young women the hardest. Initiatives addressing gender-based violence, menstrual health, school retention, and leadership opportunities are scaled back or abandoned. This deepens inequality and limits the choices available to young women.
When girls are left behind, communities and families feel the impact for generations.
Why This Moment Matters
Uganda’s youthful population has the potential to drive development, innovation, and growth. But that potential can only be realized if young people are supported, not sidelined. Continued neglect risks deepening poverty, fueling social tension, and wasting human potential.
Short-term savings today can create long-term problems tomorrow.
Moving Forward, Even in Difficult Times
Despite funding constraints, there are ways forward. Protecting essential youth programmes, supporting community-based solutions, strengthening partnerships, and listening to young people themselves can make a real difference. Small, well-targeted investments often have the greatest impact.
A Shared Responsibility
Marginalized youth are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for a fair chance—access to education, health, work, and dignity. Uganda’s future depends on how seriously that request is taken.
At a time when support is shrinking, commitment must grow.
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